March 2018

Another good month for Anne and myself. She absolutely adores going to her day centre and comes bounding off the minibus with a huge smile on her face.

However, the main highlight of this month was celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary. I wanted to let it slip by quietly because the last few years have been tough from a marriage perspective, but I was persuaded by my sons that the occasion should be marked. And I am so glad they did!!

There is a saying that says, "you can choose your friends, but not your family" but if I could choose my family I would think that it would be out of reach because I can truly and humbly say that it is the most wonderful family I could ever have wished for. There are no big egos vying for attention but everyone is supportive and compassionate towards one another. I am so grateful and blessed.

So, we had a weekend of celebration starting with a wonderful meal in a Spanish restaurant in Glasgow with its own private function room. We ate like Kings, and the conversation flowed. Anne did so well eating an enormous amount of food and clearly enjoying having her family around her.

Then following the dedication of our youngest grandchild we had an extended family party. If you want to see how to do a party for 15 adults and 13 children you should join our family. Again, we ate like Kings and Anne & I were presented with a huge anniversary cake.

At limes, "living with Alzheimers" can by lonely and a grind, but the joy of being around a loving family more than outweighs these difficult days.

I have also been moved by the kindness and thoughtfulness of others. Today, Anne and I attended our fitness class. On our arrival we were presented with flowers and a card - we only see these beautiful people at the fitness class, yet here is a group of people reaching out to us.

As I write, I am looking at a window sill full of cards. There is one in particular that I struggle to read aloud to Anne because someone had written the following:

"Thank you for being such inspirational role models on how to do marriage. Over 40 years of extreme happiness and extreme heartache but through it all has been extreme love."

I am overwhelmed with the support of others!

In closing this month's blog, I want to share another memorable moment. One Sunday at our church this month communion was taking place and I have mentioned Anne's reaction to communion in previous blogs. This time, I had to take the bread and wine and place them in her mouth, which on its own was deeply moving for me. However, after Anne had taken the elements the pianist and violinist started to quietly play and as soon as they did, Anne started to quietly hum along while gently waving a hand. The thing that struck me was that she was not overly animated as she can be when music is being played, but somehow she knew the reverence of the occasion. That was the trigger for my tear ducts to open.


until next month,

aye

Gordon