....Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month.
In honor of my dad who is in the late stage of Alzheimer's, I'm wearing purple all month.
This is my dad, Jay (BIG puffy heart)
This was taken last year and has been sitting on my desk top that long-waiting for the perfect moment to be posted. Today seems perfect.
This moment is rooted into my brain for eternity.
After a MUCH needed hair cut at the center where my dad lives, I was wheeling him back to his room~Oh my the fuss the nurses and other residents were making as we walked by. It was more than a little overwhelming for dad. He couldn't understand what all the hullabaloo was about. Well-meaning nurses were popping their heads into his room and telling him how nice he cleaned up. Dad only got a quick look at himself back at the barber shop so he asked me for a mirror. He wanted to get a better look. Wanting to indulge him, I locked his chair in place, joked..."don't move, i'll be right back"...he chuckled, and I ran back to the barbers to grab this mirror.
This moment is rooted into my brain for eternity.
After a MUCH needed hair cut at the center where my dad lives, I was wheeling him back to his room~Oh my the fuss the nurses and other residents were making as we walked by. It was more than a little overwhelming for dad. He couldn't understand what all the hullabaloo was about. Well-meaning nurses were popping their heads into his room and telling him how nice he cleaned up. Dad only got a quick look at himself back at the barber shop so he asked me for a mirror. He wanted to get a better look. Wanting to indulge him, I locked his chair in place, joked..."don't move, i'll be right back"...he chuckled, and I ran back to the barbers to grab this mirror.
I can only imagine the thought process that was going through his disease riddled brain.
I always have my phone handy and I quickly snapped this photo which pretty much speaks volumes. I see fear in face, something I never witnessed back when his life was normal.
He never spoke a word...he didn't have to.
Admittingly, some weeks I'm really good at calling my dad, others...not so much. It's just that I'm elated when I call and he recognizes me and says "this is my daughter, Kelly." I know there will be a day when he won't know who I am-but at least the phone call before he did. So, some days drag into longer days that go by.
It's a lousy excuse, I know, but guilt always wins out-I call...and for the time being, I am remembered.
I don't know how purple became the chosen color for The Alz.org
Maybe because purple symbolizes mystery...which the disease certainly is-even to the experts. Maybe because it's a combination of red and blue...color spectrum extremes-like the extreme turmoil alzheimer's brings to a family? In any case, I'm wearing purple all month, in some way, shape or form in on honor of my dad, Jay.
Happy (purple) snapping!
xo
Kelly
He never spoke a word...he didn't have to.
Admittingly, some weeks I'm really good at calling my dad, others...not so much. It's just that I'm elated when I call and he recognizes me and says "this is my daughter, Kelly." I know there will be a day when he won't know who I am-but at least the phone call before he did. So, some days drag into longer days that go by.
It's a lousy excuse, I know, but guilt always wins out-I call...and for the time being, I am remembered.
I don't know how purple became the chosen color for The Alz.org
Maybe because purple symbolizes mystery...which the disease certainly is-even to the experts. Maybe because it's a combination of red and blue...color spectrum extremes-like the extreme turmoil alzheimer's brings to a family? In any case, I'm wearing purple all month, in some way, shape or form in on honor of my dad, Jay.
Happy (purple) snapping!
xo
Kelly
I am deeply moved. Your words are words of love and tenderness and your father is lucky to have you in his life. The picture speaks volumes...so utterly lost and I can see the fear on his face. What was he thinking when he was looking at himself?
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your family. I can't begin to imagine how hard this must be. xoxo
ReplyDeletei can't imagine how difficult this must be for your family. sending prayers for much light and grace in the dark and difficult days.
ReplyDeleteHugs and prayers for you and your dad.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest wishes for you to find peace as you and your family go through this with your father as well as for him as he goes through the unknown. I remember seeing fear in my mother's face when the one doctor (with a less than stellar bedside manner) essentially told her she was dying and needed to focus on getting her papers in order. Without question alzheimer's is a living hell for both sides. Don't be hard on yourself in this process - there are no sure fire rules on how to handle and deal.
ReplyDeleteSo heartbreaking Kelly, and I'm so sorry for your Dad and for you. Bless you for being there for him. xo
ReplyDeleteSending my prayers for you and your dad too...
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. Hubby's mom has bad dementia and is only 76. She was good 5 years ago and now she doesn't remember what she said or did 5 minutes ago. I'm not looking forward to her future.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather had Alzheimer's too and he lived with us all through till the very end. My mother cared for him (her father-in-law). She was so good. My heart goes out to you. It is so hard to loss someone this way. Heart wrenching for all. Very moving photo and capture of a hard moment. Thank you for sharing. xox
ReplyDeleteWell captured, and you certainly can see the fear and confusion in his eyes.
ReplyDeleteOh, my.... That picture says so much. I'm so sorry that you have to see him go through this. It's a bad disease that steals so much.....
ReplyDelete