.
She helps her lost friend
down the hallway
to her room,
settles her in a chair.
Poor thing,
she says to herself,
and sadly shakes her head.
Back outside
she looks around,
which door is hers?
A nurse helps her
down the hallway
to her room,
settles her in a chair.
Poor thing,
she says to herself,
and wearily shakes her head.
.
© 2013 Betty Hayes Albright
.
This is based on true incidents in the daily life of a close family member with Alzheimer’s. Hopefully someday soon we’ll find a cure, or at least a vaccine….
Seasonings 
Guess we all get there sooner of later….good capture of that point.
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Thanks for reading the poem, Charlie. Alzheimer’s is such a cruel disease – I’m hoping they’ll discover a vaccine (or cure) for it someday. This was a true incident involving a close family member who has the disease. (Hopefully we’re not all destined!)
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This is so sad Betty. And somehow also not so sad, because it reminds me of my mum when she became this way and would try to keep helping others even when she didnt know where she was or what day it was. But mostly she did seem content with and in her world,and dare I say it, happy. But it was the rest of us who were suffering more.
Love and hugs
Xxx
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Hi Christine –
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. My mom is the same way. She has always been one to reach out and help others, and continues to do so even though she needs so much help herself. I’m glad your mum was contented – that was a blessing, no doubt. (My mom suffers daily with anxiety, delusions and confusion and a strong desire to “go home”.) It is indeed sad!
Hope you’re still having some summer weather, and able to go out and enjoy it a little! (I’m SO not ready for fall yet.) Wishing you a good week!
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Summer keeps hinting its going to leave us but I think we are to have a little more this week at least, but the mornings and evenings are chilly now. Im not ready either! I love sitting in the garden 🙂 xxx
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Me too! It’s what I miss most, since moving to an apartment. Flowers, bees, butterflies, spiders, the smell of the earth, the feel of it under bare feet, the…. well, you get the picture. 😀 At least we DO have trees.
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Although I find this sad and depressing , frightening even it a beautiful post written with love and understanding of the subject! xxxxxx
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Thank you for the kind words, Willow. Sorry for the sad subject, but it’s something I think about often, as I observe it when we visit my mom. It is indeed sad and scary – especially with so many of us baby boomers wondering what’s in our own futures. Sometimes there are NO benefits to living a long life.
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No sometimes it is a long trial.Yet not always we must be brave!
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I have some experience of working professionally with folk who have “dementia”.and I believe find there is a clear distinction between pity of the “poor thing” variety and compassion, where the dignity and respect remains in the absence of mental competence and even “reasonably acceptable” behaviour. For there but the grace of God … and my own clock is still ticking toward an unknown future.
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Thanks for your insightful (as always) comment, Ben. In this case, I think the “poor thing” reaction is more of a subconscious fear-response (for themselves and their future) than pity or lack of compassion. I have both the fear and the compassion – but still feel so badly for those who are inflicted. And as you say – the clock is ticking, and we don’t know what’s ahead for ourselves. (Fortunately my mom is in a wonderful home, full of understanding, caring and loving caretakers. But there are just too many of us baby boomers to care for in the future and I wonder what will happen if….. (there was a recent news article about that topic which was an eye-opener!) Let us visualize a cure – soon!
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Beautifully conveyed, Betty..my sister’s husband (2nd hubby) and my step Mother-in-Law both have ALZ. It’s so sad and honestly, I wouldn’t want to live that way if I ever got it…it’s not in our history with our parents, which is good, but you just never know…I wish a cure could be found very soon for this and cancer…hope you’re doing well and thanks for visiting me, too! xx
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Hi Lauren,
You’re right, you just never know… already one of my old high school classmates is in the early stages. (Early onset, but still…..) Thank you for reading the poem.
I didn’t get a chance to comment on your audio post, but definitely LOVED it. You have a beautiful voice, and I hope you’ll do more audio readings. (Now I just need to visit you more often!)
Hope all’s well with you too. 🙂
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Aww..sorry to hear about your classmate, Betty. There just are no words, except that this disease is so very sad…not only for the patient, but for the family and friends, too. And thanks for your kind words on my recording. It was definitely a step out of the box! Re: visiting, I am sooo behind on everyone, so no worries. I think we’re all sailing in the same boat! 🙂 Hugs!
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