Dad Days ~ April

Our days at Wesley Woods with 

Dad continue on..........

"We had an extraordinary life ...

but the other side of the coin is that

it makes it harder.

There are so many memories that 

I can no longer share, 

which makes it very difficult.

When it comes right down to it, 

you're in it alone.

Each day is different,

and you get up, put one foot

in front of the other, and go --

and love;  just love."

Excerpt from Nancy Reagan

(I think from Thrown from Horse)

Mrs. Nancy Reagan's words 

are spot on.  My heart has broken 

for my mother.  These two 

were everything to each other.

The good, the bad, the everything.

It's been an amazing example

to watch my mother.  

My hot and hilarious sisters

have been amazing as well!!!!!!!!!

We continue to do our "shifts"

and try to relieve our mother as 

often as we possibly can.

We stay until the aids put him to bed.

We kiss him and tell him goodnight.

Deep down, he knows we are there

and who we are.  

Mrs. Reagan also describes

the "looks" of Alzheimer's patients...

and she is SO right.  

They start out fearful

and then it turns to lost.  

We love him so much.  

His routine is that they try to 

keep him up after breakfast, then 

he eats lunch with one of us,

then they put him in his chair 

for an afternoon nap.  We leave

when he's asleep.  Then one of us

returns for dinner and they get him 

up for that.  We sit with him 

in the dining room after we 

help feed him or we go to the 

end of the hall to the windows and look

outside or try to watch something

on TV with him.  Often it's also

just watching the other patients.

It's quite a sight.  

Sometimes we call it the ZOO!

Then the aids change him and 

put him to bed after his night

medications.  

He is completely dependent 

on someone - to walk, to eat,

to be changed, etc.  

Through these doors.........

a world I still can't believe exists.  

Dad is definitely most content

with our sweet mama right there.  

She keeps him the best dressed

at Wesley Woods!  :)

He still looks SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!

His usual table friends....

Mrs. Rochelle, Jim, Otto.  

One of the most difficult things is 

that Dad hardly says a word.

He was the most talkative, funny,

man...and now, he's silent. :(

We can't take anything for 

granted in this life.

What we'd give for one of his 

long stories now.  

Bobbie and Adelle.  We love them ALL!

Adelle is our favorite:)

My sisters and I fight over her.  

May God bless their souls.  

Hadlee's Birthday....

Hadlee was the last light 

in my dad's world....

Thankful.  

We will love love love him

through every stage of this disease!!!

I love this selfie with Sweet Michelle:)