This blog is about life with my husband who was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's and Frontal Lobe Dementia in 2008. He was 64 at the time although now, knowing more about the disease, Alzheimer's was present many, many years ago, which is why early detection is so important. As you read the blog the character "Al" that I created in 2008, represents the way that Alzheimer's is invading our daily lives.
There is an archive tab further down the page that starts from the beginning of our journey.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Living with Bob and Al

Sheri is trying to clean out the 22 years of her life
stored in the dark and cold eaves of the attic. But it is much more than that
She is trying to make many necessary decisions about her life
It is interesting what the cobwebs of the attic and the mind hold
In the one corner, bags of puppets and dress up clothes, and many, many bags of stuffed animals
Well worn and tattered, evidence of real childhood play ... the chocolate milk stains, missing eyes and frayed edges, earn them the title of "well loved friends".
in another corner is the stack of barbie bins...three at least
Sheri is thinking about how she worried that her daughters
playing with barbies might challenge their self image
As life turned out both daughter number one (the one who wears her heart on her sleeve)
and daughter number two,( the one who shields her heart with her sleeve)
Are both independent, strong, unique, compassionate women..what more could a Mom hope for.
Then Sheri came across a box marked "Boy toys"
She was afraid to look inside because the memories of Bob and her son
playing Lego's, when he was very little will come back to her in a instant.
Transformers, match box cars, duplo blocks,cowboy boots and ...Popsicles.
hard decisions Sheri had to make to do what was best for her son. when he and Bob could no longer get along... not the best decisions for herself.
Then there are started projects what Sheri calls the "best of intentions" pile... yarn items, craft items, Sheri has always loved crafts.
These items represented a thought process of some type, when Sheri knew the finished product would be pleasing to someone... somehow the unfinished product probably represents much more about her life ...
Then there are items Bob put there...things he was sure he would need again, to build with or take apart... to rebuild something else. Probably to make more shelves for Sheri to store all her "stuff "on. In one apartment they had, Bob and "Al" built shelves on every wall of the living room when Sheri was at work one day. To surprise her. (Eek)
Sheri thinks that Bob always had the "best of intentions" too.
Sheri spent a painful day sorting through the cobwebs in the attic and her mind
she had to borrow the coffee cans that were catching the water from the attic roof leaks to catch her tears.
 Her own sleeves were not quite big enough ... this time.

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

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