April 2017
Following last month's blog, I was contacted by a freelance journalist who subsequently wrote an article for our local paper. The reaction I have had from many people has been one of great encouragement. I was astonished by how much the journalist already knew about me, and I am grateful to him for writing such a positive and sensitive article.
This month has been a relatively good one for Anne, although, she has definitely become more anxious. Even around the house, which you would expect to be a place of familiarity and security, she is becoming more unsure of her surroundings. She will gravitate to our bedroom, and she would spend all day in that room just standing around or folding clothes if I didn't coax her out.
However, there have been some great moments, and very amusing ones too. This month has seen Anne needing help to get dressed. For many months Anne could not undress herself but had always managed to get herself dressed, if I lay out clothes for her. To my amazement, she could always put on her bra. But over the last 6 weeks she has needed help to get dressed - another sign of her continuing deterioration. One morning, despite laying out her clothes, I came into our bedroom to find that she had put on one of my shirts, but the funniest moment was when I found her with a blouse on with her bra, properly fastened, on top. I haven't laughed so much in a long time, as she looked liked Wonder Woman! Sadly, Anne just looked at me perplexed not realising the humour of the moment.
There have also been some very bright moments. We were in the Botanical Gardens at Inverness when Anne pointed to an exotic Bird of Paradise flower. I immediately recognised it from the gardens of a holiday venue we had visited for a number of years, so I asked Anne is she could remember where she had seen that flower and she immediately said one word - Spain. I was encouraged that day to recognise that there is still a flicker of memory.
Talking about memories, Anne has never been interested in music, but over the last year I can put on some contemporary music and she will start to sing along or move to the music. There must be something in certain melodies that sparks a reaction. The most emotional moments though are when Anne is in church singing hymns and choruses, particularly well known songs that she clearly remembers from her younger days. She will be singing her heart out and then turn around to the people behind her encouraging them to do the same. The first time she did this I have to admit that I was a bit embarrassed - what would people think? I tried to bring her round to face the front but she was having none of it. I quickly realised that I was wrong in trying to get Anne to adhere to social norms. She did this at our recent Easter Service where there were rousing familiar hymns - there were a few watery eyes last Sunday!! Indeed, one person said to me it was one of the most precious moments of worship they had ever witnessed.
Following last month's blog, I was contacted by a freelance journalist who subsequently wrote an article for our local paper. The reaction I have had from many people has been one of great encouragement. I was astonished by how much the journalist already knew about me, and I am grateful to him for writing such a positive and sensitive article.
This month has been a relatively good one for Anne, although, she has definitely become more anxious. Even around the house, which you would expect to be a place of familiarity and security, she is becoming more unsure of her surroundings. She will gravitate to our bedroom, and she would spend all day in that room just standing around or folding clothes if I didn't coax her out.
However, there have been some great moments, and very amusing ones too. This month has seen Anne needing help to get dressed. For many months Anne could not undress herself but had always managed to get herself dressed, if I lay out clothes for her. To my amazement, she could always put on her bra. But over the last 6 weeks she has needed help to get dressed - another sign of her continuing deterioration. One morning, despite laying out her clothes, I came into our bedroom to find that she had put on one of my shirts, but the funniest moment was when I found her with a blouse on with her bra, properly fastened, on top. I haven't laughed so much in a long time, as she looked liked Wonder Woman! Sadly, Anne just looked at me perplexed not realising the humour of the moment.
There have also been some very bright moments. We were in the Botanical Gardens at Inverness when Anne pointed to an exotic Bird of Paradise flower. I immediately recognised it from the gardens of a holiday venue we had visited for a number of years, so I asked Anne is she could remember where she had seen that flower and she immediately said one word - Spain. I was encouraged that day to recognise that there is still a flicker of memory.
Talking about memories, Anne has never been interested in music, but over the last year I can put on some contemporary music and she will start to sing along or move to the music. There must be something in certain melodies that sparks a reaction. The most emotional moments though are when Anne is in church singing hymns and choruses, particularly well known songs that she clearly remembers from her younger days. She will be singing her heart out and then turn around to the people behind her encouraging them to do the same. The first time she did this I have to admit that I was a bit embarrassed - what would people think? I tried to bring her round to face the front but she was having none of it. I quickly realised that I was wrong in trying to get Anne to adhere to social norms. She did this at our recent Easter Service where there were rousing familiar hymns - there were a few watery eyes last Sunday!! Indeed, one person said to me it was one of the most precious moments of worship they had ever witnessed.
These days, where there is a spark of memory either through sight or sound, are like rare jewels - days to be greatly treasured.
We soldier on!!
aye
Gordon
We soldier on!!
aye
Gordon
