Thursday, September 10, 2009
Mystery
Today's visit is another reminder to me that the brain (and this disease) is a mystery. I am cautiously optimistic whenever I visit and see that Dad is alert and verbal. He was sitting up in his old recliner and my mind tried to fool itself into thinking that nothing was wrong with Dad, from this snapshot in my mind's eye. Today he actually called out for Carly (calling her "Goldilocks" just like old times). Before today (in my visits for over a month), he hasn't initiated any conversation. I didn't think that he still could! He heard mom say something about "chat" and he stopped her and said, "who had an attack?" If my conclusions are correct, his brain is slowing down to the point that it takes him so long to formulate a response to a question and while he is processing it, he loses concentration or forgets what he wants to say. So why did he have NOTHING to say when his nephew Randy visited two and a half weeks ago? (In the entire two hours, Dad might have said his name once.) And today he comes up with "Now my kids are all here. When the kids are all here, everything is OK." I just have to be thankful to have these short sentences from him and not try to figure out what makes him better on some days than others--that will remain a mystery.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Standing Firm
Dad sure can't physically stand at all, but I was amazed to hear a report of him standing firm in his convictions.
An evaluator at the nursing home tried to pump Dad for answers about some of his personal history, inquiring about his service to our country in both the Army and Marine Reserves, etc. She asked him if any of his military service included a little nip of the bottle here and there. He said no. Again she attempted to get the answer she was looking for, but to no avail. "Oh come now, it would be awfully hard to be in the service without a few sips!!" He continued to stand firm. It took quite a while for him to communicate the words, but when he did, they were profound...
"I saw enough of that at home."
Dad saw firsthand the devastating effects that alcohol can ravage on a family and he decided for his ENTIRE life that he wanted no parts of that. Even in his altered state of mind, he is still standing firm to that conviction.
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
An evaluator at the nursing home tried to pump Dad for answers about some of his personal history, inquiring about his service to our country in both the Army and Marine Reserves, etc. She asked him if any of his military service included a little nip of the bottle here and there. He said no. Again she attempted to get the answer she was looking for, but to no avail. "Oh come now, it would be awfully hard to be in the service without a few sips!!" He continued to stand firm. It took quite a while for him to communicate the words, but when he did, they were profound...
"I saw enough of that at home."
Dad saw firsthand the devastating effects that alcohol can ravage on a family and he decided for his ENTIRE life that he wanted no parts of that. Even in his altered state of mind, he is still standing firm to that conviction.
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
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;
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