I don't know if this is the right place to post this but I just am if for no one but me.  I spend many hours a day now thinking about my Mom's dementia, my Daddy and his health, how this disease affects our entire family.  And every day I am reminded by some sweet soul that they've been there, that they're going through it too, that they understand.  And those words soothe my spirit so thank you to those who reach out.  It's like a community of those going through it together.  

Dementia is a baffling, frustrating disease.  Watching it evolve reminds me of the seasons, memories being the leaves on a tree.  In the spring and summer of our life, our memories are colorful, full, healthy, vibrant and growing.  And even after a few "winters," it bounces back... we've all had those times, right?  But the fall comes and the leaves change much like my mother's mind.  The colors are beautiful at first but they eventually start to fade.  Each leaf, each memory, hangs on by a thread, hoping to live a little longer, but eventually having to let go by no choice of anyone.  They drift away on the wind until they eventually come to rest somewhere else and dissolve away... much like my mother's memory.

At this stage, all we can do as a family is nurture, love, support, and hang on to each other.  We're deep into the fall and the leaves fall so much faster than they did just a few months ago.  We don't know when there will be none left but we face the inevitable.... together and with God's hand on all of us.  

My brother reminded me of this old photo of Mom and Dad from around 1960 (WAY before I existed:) when he saw the one from Christmas 2012.  Times change.... Love you Mama and Daddy...  and we'll get through the fall together.  

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