Just Don't!

One of the major rules, when dealing with folks who have memory issues is, DON'T ARGUE! Even if you know you are right, just DON'T ARGUE.
I found it difficult at first. Everyone, from age 18 months or so, wants to be right. And, I was no exception. Being right is empowering. We all want people to agree with us, at least some of the time. But, none of that matters, when you are dealing with Alzheimer's and Dementia.
If someone tells me that they are waiting for a ride at 3:00 p.m and it is currently 10 a.m., I may suggest that they will have a five hour wait. However, if they really want to sit and wait that long, then that's just what they can do.  But, honestly, most of them give up the wait, after an hour or two.
85 degrees, in my opinion, is way too warm for comfortable living. But, if someone else is comfortable at 85 degrees, who I am to argue with that. And, tomorrow, who knows? They may find that 85 degrees, is indeed, too warm.
I know that no one is going to come to the apartment of a 90 year old woman and steal her clothing. No one I know wants to be wearing the clothes of a ninety year old, unless it's another 90 year old. And, of course, they have their own clothing. But, I will promise that lady, that we will look at the security cameras, until we are cross-eyed, or until she suddenly remembers that she gave those things away several years ago.
I have learned to be very accommodating, and I try never, ever to argue. It just doesn't matter and it is a futile exercise.

Great and all powerful Lord. We are the recipients of many blessings. Growing old is a challenge. Help us to accept our shortcomings and focus on helping others live their lives to the fullest.

Go Figure

Admittedly, the most famous line of  dialogue from the movie "Field of Dreams" is "Build it and they will come." I believe that there is real truth to that statement.  However, as you might suspect, I subscribe to  a few other general truths.
They are:
#1. "Water it and it will rain." Here in Missouri, we have long periods of drought and equally long  periods of wet weather. So, just when you take the time and effort to water trees, plants and lawns....  it pours down rain!
#2. "Wash it and it will rain." This adage has to do with your car. Spend 5 bucks at the do-it-yourself-place or 9 bucks at the we'll-do-it-all-for-you place. It doesn't make any difference. Whichever one you choose, a car wash means immediate rain!"
#3. "Plant it, and it will be eaten." I'm not speaking of human consumption. I'm talking yard beasts having yard feasts....deer, groundhogs, squirrels. They are all herbivores. They eat everything I plant!

The truth shall set you free!

Holy Lord. We must amuse You, with our plans. We think we are in control and we are so wrong. Show us how to accept Your will. Watch over us. Grant us Peace.

Missed Opportunities

The other evening, I joined several lady friends for supper, at a local pizzeria. The place is popular and that night, as most nights, it was quite full. There were a couple of groups, like ours, but mostly I observed families. Moms, Dads and kids, or single adults with several kids.  Everyone was ordering and then waiting for the arrival of their food.
Very quickly, I observed a particular behavior that is becoming more and more prevalent, in today's techno-society.  The adults weren't interacting with the children. They didn't even appear to even be aware that the children were sitting at a table with them. The adults were all absorbed with whatever was on their phones. None of them ever looked up! They never said a word, except to order their meals, and then go back to playing with their phones.
I was reminded of a poem, that my mother read to me years ago........

       "Oh, cleaning and scrubbing 

        will wait till tomorrow,

         But children grow up,

        As I've learned to my sorrow.

     

        So quiet down, cobwebs, 

            Dust go to sleep.

   

        I'm rocking my baby.

                 Babies don't keep." 

  Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

 Who among us would not give a fortune to have some of those wasted moments of inattention, to our babies......whatever their age, relived? 

Dear God. Our lifetimes are so short. The older we get, the faster time goes. Give us the wisdom to make wise choices. We pray for discernment.

75 years

Today, marks the anniversary of the Allied Invasion of Normandy, which according to many historians, signaled the beginning of the end of Hitler's Third Reich.
Working, as I do, with seniors, I am aware that the numbers of World War II Veterans are dwindling. In just a few years those former 19 and 20 year olds, who jumped out of boats onto those beaches, will be gone forever. June 6th, nineteen forty-one, was seventy-five years ago.
My prayers and thoughts, today, are with those aging men and women. They have the greatest stories to tell and we can learn so much from them. Please, folks, do all of us a favor and help them to write down their amazing stories. If we don't do it now, their accounts and memories will be lost.
I had a teacher, years ago, who used to say "history repeats itself, does it not?" When she said those words, I didn't have a clue what she meant. Now, I know what she means. We learn from history. We learn from our mistakes and we never, ever, want a repeat  of  World War II.

Dear Lord. Help us to never forget those who fought for this country. They were young and brave and they were probably very frightened. You gave them courage and You were there with them when they entered battle. Let us always remember that You stand by every one of Your children.
We are blessed.