Living in the Shadow of Alzheimers

If ever there was a season that holds the emotions too near
It's the season of "holy jolly," the season of Christmas cheer.

Yet I am one among many, for whom the season is confettied with tears
The pain and the strife of everyday life has  many left deep wounds through the year.

Yet we all have so much in common, we share pain we share hope and despair
We are in fact "going through the motions", it is just hidden in "Happy New Year".

Each day that goes by Sheri sees people hurting all around her. She can't help thinking about all the people that are plucked from this world daily. They disappear, their loved ones mourn, there is gathering at the funeral, and then life just goes on. The world does not stop, business of life does not stop, we still need to eat, work, plan, shovel snow, it as if those that were lost were never here. Death happens to everyone. Sheri is not saying she needs more support , she does not.. these are just the facts. So the only thing that really matters is what you do right now in this moment, the smile you give, the gentle touch, the prayers you pray.

1 Corinthians 12:25-27 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.

Sheri is trying hard to remember to make new memories and not let joy slip by this holiday season. She is definitely having a hard time balancing these feelings. She knows her grief is still new and fresh, so her feelings are to be expected but she also does not want to miss the important and beautiful things happening in her life. Daughter number one is expecting Sheri's first grandchild the first week of January. God is good.

Sheri keeps thinking about about how many others are on this journey. The isolation this wretched disease brings.It makes her so much more aware of what people are going through, whether this  disease or any other, this type of isolation or any other... Sheri manages a 200 unit apartment community and many times in the evening when she walks Sir Cooper, she realizes that within these walls are peoples lives. Isolated into cubicles each dealing with their own journey, their own pain and isolation. Of course there is joy as well, but for some reason as the sunsets and the glow of their living room lights casts shadows on blinds, Sheri can't help but feel she does not do enough to reach the lonely and the brokenhearted, and she realizes what a fragmented world we live in.
Sheri needs to pause praise and pray.

Sheri is trying to learn to that it is okay to share the gifts God has given her. She had her photos/canvas display Open House at the coffee shop over the weekend. Sheri knows she would have never pursed photography had she not been so lonely and struggling so hard to find something she could do with Bob and "Al". God always has a plan... whether we know it or not.

Sheri woke this morning... thank You Lord.

Living with Bob and "Al"

One of the things Sheri was most touched by, is what her daughters shared at their Dads funeral. This is the video clip. When all is said and done this is all that matters in life, the lessons we learn , the people we love and seeing God in the worst of circumstances. God has blessed Sheri greatly. The video is about 10 minutes long. Turn your speakers up. Click on the funeral link below.

funeral

Sheri woke up feeling shamefully self absorbed this morning. She is realizing that many things have happened to people she cares about over the past few years. She has been so self absorbed in her own struggles, she has not been there for others in need. On this journey we call life the only thing that matters is following God's word and caring for one another. Money can't replace that, prestige can't replace that, nor can this material world we live in. Caring for one another and sharing life's inevitable ups and downs to make this life journey a little easier is our purpose. Sheri needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Since  Bob's passing in late May,  Sheri has found herself sitting in her apartment starring at.. well nothing.  She doesn't know what she suppose to do with her so called free time. It is like her brain still thinks the boys need her. She cant start projects because her brain still thinks the phone might ring. She can't participate in group commitments, she thinks she wants to but then she she just can't. She is not looking for sympathy, or advice, she knows this is just part of the grief process. She just wants others to know they are not alone, if they have been, or are where she is.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is trying to find herself. It has been many years since she had time to look deep inside and face the sins of her past and the true desires of her heart. She is trying to understand her path, not only where she has been... but where she is going.
God is good.