Dogs don't lie
Yesterday was perhaps the greatest day I’ve ever spent with
my mother, not just in modern day, but within my entire life.
It started on the way to church listening to “Breakfast with
the Beatles” on AM radio. I always ask her if she remembers the Beatles and she
always replies with passion: “Oh yes!”
The next stop was church, where her ROFUM friends smiled,
hugged and shared their love. Something about the building where she spent so
many years always brings out the best in her.
We had a great meal and when we got back to my house Jack
and Needa loved on Mom for a while. It was an easy, happy, for her. Then we
came to the universal agreement and conclusion that “Dogs don’t lie.”
We went through my baby books, page by page I read her a
book called “Dog Quotations.” And for the moment she understood every one of
them and we had some good laughs talking about the dogs and cats we’ve had in
our family.
We watched old TV shows, like the Brady Bunch, Gilligan’s
Island and eventually the Monkees. But we talked about so many more; The Love
Boat, Daniel Boone, Carol Burnett, Maude (which she never let me watch as a
kid) Jack Benny, MASH and others.
Many cancers can be fought and conquered with medicine,
prayer and a positive attitude. It is not easy to do but it can be done with
success.
When you have Alzheimer’s disease hit your parent and it
keeps working its way up to the torturous top, I’m here to tell you; you almost
wish it was cancer instead.
Earlier in the week, Mom and I had our movie day and saw the
film, 1917, one of the most riveting films I’ve ever seen. Then we had lunch at
Hippo’s in Troy; which was one my parents and favorite “together places.”
On the way home, Mom asked me if I’ve seen my Dad or her Dad
lately and if she can come and live with me. It is at this point that I go into
what is called "therapeutic fibbing." Look it up.
During the good hours of the day when she is hitting on all
cylinders, the moments are gold. The other hours are reserved for ripping my
family apart, at a slow, torturous pace.
I was especially grateful to God yesterday, for providing
this brief window of light in my mother’s world.
And I know he was still walking with us three hours later
when she was devoid of happiness and back to living in a foggy hell of
confusion.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of
my heart and my portion forever.
Psalms 73:26.
