Thursday, July 9, 2009
A sweet Kiss
I wept as I glanced up to see my Mom steal a kiss from dad shortly after we arrived at Dad's new nursing home today. I thought to myself. There is true Love, I found it... My Parents 53 year journey together through the windy road of life, and now down this detour called Alzheimer's, brings them ever closer to the end of the road, yet there is still a kiss, still a sweet caress, and Still True Love.
A New Chapter
As my brother stated last night, today, Thursday, July 9, marks a new chapter in a very long saga for our family. Today we move Dad to a facility closer to Mom. God has answered our specific prayer of finding a location near to Mom--16 minutes to be exact. (A far cry from the 28 miles--one way--that she has traveled almost daily for the past 6 months.) The caring staff appears to be very family-oriented, truly having the resident's best interest at heart.
Ironically, Dad has now returned to the same little town where he and Mom "set up housekeeping" as newlyweds 53 years ago this very week.
Ironically, Dad has now returned to the same little town where he and Mom "set up housekeeping" as newlyweds 53 years ago this very week.
Ferguson Family Reunion Comments (Kim) July 5, 2009
Uncle Virgil asked me to share a little about Dad and what we've been through. These were my notes...what I wanted to share. I'm not really sure exactly what I said, but this is what I intended to say!
Larry wanted to be here today to share, but due to medical emergencies, he was unable to make it. This is the first family reunion that he has missed since 1983! He had something recorded, but I have no coverage on the cell phone so we can't hear his message. So here's mine instead...
This past year or so has been difficult for our family as we say a long good-bye to our beloved Dad who has Alzheimer's Disease. Some of you understand the situation we face. We trust that our Heavenly Father knows best.
So we are here to represent Dad. It is hard to be here without him, but he would want us to carry on the traditions. Dad would want Mom to be here, too--you all havce been her family now for 53 years!
Dad taught his kids about linking the future with the past--teaching the next generation about family heritage. My own children love coming to Tennessee. TJ said the best thing about coming to TN (besides swimming in the George Hole) is "having a reunion." Poppy would be proud.
God has blessed this family with each other. This is certainly a unique family. I don't know of too many other families that have a reunion like this--returning to their roots once a year from all over the country. I am the youngest grandchild of Ed and Stella Ferguson and what an incredible blessing it is to have a family like this one!
Larry wanted to be here today to share, but due to medical emergencies, he was unable to make it. This is the first family reunion that he has missed since 1983! He had something recorded, but I have no coverage on the cell phone so we can't hear his message. So here's mine instead...
This past year or so has been difficult for our family as we say a long good-bye to our beloved Dad who has Alzheimer's Disease. Some of you understand the situation we face. We trust that our Heavenly Father knows best.
So we are here to represent Dad. It is hard to be here without him, but he would want us to carry on the traditions. Dad would want Mom to be here, too--you all havce been her family now for 53 years!
Dad taught his kids about linking the future with the past--teaching the next generation about family heritage. My own children love coming to Tennessee. TJ said the best thing about coming to TN (besides swimming in the George Hole) is "having a reunion." Poppy would be proud.
God has blessed this family with each other. This is certainly a unique family. I don't know of too many other families that have a reunion like this--returning to their roots once a year from all over the country. I am the youngest grandchild of Ed and Stella Ferguson and what an incredible blessing it is to have a family like this one!
Ferguson Family Reunion Comments (Larry) July 5, 2009
Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.
Psa 103:15 [As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Psa 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Psa 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
The psalmist reminds us of the brevity of life, it’s shortness it’s temporary nature.
Our Family, as many others here today, because of death have had to say goodbye to loved ones over the years. Some families like our family because of sickness are in the process of saying a long goodby to family members, Our comments are meant to express for them as well as ourselves.
For the past several years because of Alzheimer’s disease we have been saying a long good bye to our Father, and Husband, Marshall Ferguson. Dad continues to fight a loosing battling with this disease. Little by little Dad is slipping away from us. Although Dad is still with us in body his mind is not with us, he is not fully awareness of us. He has lost much short term memory. He is starting to forget family members. These past months have been particularly difficult for us, because in large part the essence of our lives is the shared memories from life. Dad has lost these memories. This illness with dad causes to look forward to the day when we will walk arm in arm with dad in glory, the day when we can reminisce about our lives and again share laughter with about our lives. We look forward to the day when there are no more good byes. We are living our lives today with that new bright morning in mind. Our desire in this long good bye is to honor our Father, and his life and, to give glory to our heavenly Father.
Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.
Psa 103:15 [As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Psa 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Psa 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.
Psa 103:15 [As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Psa 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Psa 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
The psalmist reminds us of the brevity of life, it’s shortness it’s temporary nature.
Our Family, as many others here today, because of death have had to say goodbye to loved ones over the years. Some families like our family because of sickness are in the process of saying a long goodby to family members, Our comments are meant to express for them as well as ourselves.
For the past several years because of Alzheimer’s disease we have been saying a long good bye to our Father, and Husband, Marshall Ferguson. Dad continues to fight a loosing battling with this disease. Little by little Dad is slipping away from us. Although Dad is still with us in body his mind is not with us, he is not fully awareness of us. He has lost much short term memory. He is starting to forget family members. These past months have been particularly difficult for us, because in large part the essence of our lives is the shared memories from life. Dad has lost these memories. This illness with dad causes to look forward to the day when we will walk arm in arm with dad in glory, the day when we can reminisce about our lives and again share laughter with about our lives. We look forward to the day when there are no more good byes. We are living our lives today with that new bright morning in mind. Our desire in this long good bye is to honor our Father, and his life and, to give glory to our heavenly Father.
Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.
Psa 103:15 [As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Psa 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Psa 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Doing the best he can!
Dad had some insurance-approved therapy on Thursday. Afterward as he contemplated getting into the bed himself, with only minimal assistance from me, I knew he was rather frustrated with himself and his inability to make his brain work to maneuver himself into the bed.
"It gets on your nerves when you can't get anything done," he said.
"I know, Dad. I know you're doing the best you can."
"You're absolutely right! I'm glad somebody understands," he replied.
Dad's doing the best he can. That day, part of his best was being able to kick off his own shoes. We rejoice in the small victories.
"It gets on your nerves when you can't get anything done," he said.
"I know, Dad. I know you're doing the best you can."
"You're absolutely right! I'm glad somebody understands," he replied.
Dad's doing the best he can. That day, part of his best was being able to kick off his own shoes. We rejoice in the small victories.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Words from Dad
As I left Dad's bedside on Wednesday, just as he was drifting off to sleep, I heard him say this profound statement, "It breaks my heart to know my kids need me more than I can help them."
Friday, May 8, 2009
"The Good Word on Poppy"
The weather was damp and dreary, a light drizzle fell from the sky. But to me, inside my head, the sun was shining brightly and warmly, not a cloud in the sky. I stood in the parking lot of the nursing care center, holding Carly in my one arm, her umbrella in my other, utterly amazed at what I saw. Dad, with the assistance of the new physical therapist and free of a walker, approached us, walking tentatively with tiny, shuffling steps...but still WALKING nonetheless!! I thought I would never see my father walk again this side of heaven.
We all walked together back to sit on the bench outside the facility. Dad was able to "scoot" over to make room for me to sit. The therapist commented that action was a cognitive challenge, but came naturally to him; he is "caring" for a family member without thinking about it. The skills can be achieved when they are "functionally presented. It's all in the approach" she has said. Having this well-trained and skilled therapist is like a breath of fresh air!
Back inside the building, we sat watching the rain at the patio and Dad was the first to notice a turtle crawling on the floorboards of the deck. "We'll call him, Tom. Tom Turtle," he said. Amazing! Going back to his room, Dad noticed a landmark out the window. I was surprised again at his attentiveness.
A staff member heard him call out to Carly as she ran in the dining room, "Don't get lost Carly, because Poppy will be lost without you." And she said, "He's so
sweet, I want to take him home with me!" Other staff have also
commented about how sweet, kind and talkative Dad is. (I did a
double-take to see if they were joking or not--they were serious! They said, "He's our JOY BUG.")
How can he be so out of it for days at a time and then have such good days?! This disease sure is mysterious! I'm not going to question it, but just be thankful for it!
I took the kids back in two days later because I wanted them to see Poppy in such good spirits. We had a lot of laughs--he certainly can be very entertaining! When TJ asked him about what happened to his arm (he has what looks like some finger-nail scratch marks on his forearm)he didn't know but said, "Maybe I could come up with it, TJ, but my mind is gone."
We all had to chuckle!
My nephew, Jonathan, being the optimist that he is, can find the positive even in adversity. During many dark days, Jonathan always asks his dad, "So, what's the good word on Poppy?" That's a great way to pose the question! I am truly pleased to be able to post this encouraging update--to give a "good word on Poppy!" But may we all learn from Jonathan--to look for the sunshine even when it's raining. That is living out I Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
We all walked together back to sit on the bench outside the facility. Dad was able to "scoot" over to make room for me to sit. The therapist commented that action was a cognitive challenge, but came naturally to him; he is "caring" for a family member without thinking about it. The skills can be achieved when they are "functionally presented. It's all in the approach" she has said. Having this well-trained and skilled therapist is like a breath of fresh air!
Back inside the building, we sat watching the rain at the patio and Dad was the first to notice a turtle crawling on the floorboards of the deck. "We'll call him, Tom. Tom Turtle," he said. Amazing! Going back to his room, Dad noticed a landmark out the window. I was surprised again at his attentiveness.
A staff member heard him call out to Carly as she ran in the dining room, "Don't get lost Carly, because Poppy will be lost without you." And she said, "He's so
sweet, I want to take him home with me!" Other staff have also
commented about how sweet, kind and talkative Dad is. (I did a
double-take to see if they were joking or not--they were serious! They said, "He's our JOY BUG.")
How can he be so out of it for days at a time and then have such good days?! This disease sure is mysterious! I'm not going to question it, but just be thankful for it!
I took the kids back in two days later because I wanted them to see Poppy in such good spirits. We had a lot of laughs--he certainly can be very entertaining! When TJ asked him about what happened to his arm (he has what looks like some finger-nail scratch marks on his forearm)he didn't know but said, "Maybe I could come up with it, TJ, but my mind is gone."
We all had to chuckle!
My nephew, Jonathan, being the optimist that he is, can find the positive even in adversity. During many dark days, Jonathan always asks his dad, "So, what's the good word on Poppy?" That's a great way to pose the question! I am truly pleased to be able to post this encouraging update--to give a "good word on Poppy!" But may we all learn from Jonathan--to look for the sunshine even when it's raining. That is living out I Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
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