Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri's feelings about the holidays are stagnated this year. She does not want to think about old traditions or memories, and she does not want to participate in new ones. She knows this may not be the healthiest way of dealing with life, she is not looking for sympathy or ideas, she just knows that for many different reasons and for many different people, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do, and its okay.
Sheri is going to pause, praise and pray. (and she really needs some camera time :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

It was wonderful for Sheri to have Daughter Number One and Daughter Number Two together with Bob and "Al" on Easter. They brought him new crayons in an Easter Basket and "the boys" were thrilled. They sang together and enjoyed the sun shine. God is good.

Living with Bob and "Al"

March 18th, 1989
Today is Sheri and Bob's 28th anniversary.
The song "One Moment in Time" By Whitney Houston was Sheri and Bob's Wedding Song.
 One day at a time is all we are promised.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri loves the fall, but right after fall the winter in what she calls the frozen tundra won't be far behind. She is hoping the new apartment with it's bright windows and open floor plan will help Sheri this year, but the holidays bring it's own set of challenges with Bob and "Al". Sheri is determined to focus on the joy of the upcoming wedding of Daughter Number One, and to remember to live one moment at a time.
God is good.
Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Another three day weekend, another 5 lbs of potatoes... at least. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Family traditions are important, especially for an Alzheimer victim. Bob has no memory of the family Christmas celebration, singing around the player piano listening to piano rolls, but he was there in the moment and that is what counts. simple pleasures Sheri simple pleasures.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri invited daughter number 2's  Mother in law over for brunch today. "Al" thinks that means it is Thanksgiving :)
In many ways he is right.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Living with Bob and "Al"

No party here on New Years Eve. Sheri, Bob, and "Al" will retire early as usual. Sheri is not disappointed about that though.  She will look back on 2014 and be grateful for all her blessings, thankful for her family, content with what she has, and she will try to remember to live in the moment, that is all that is promised in this life anyway. Then she will try her hardest to pause, praise and pray.
Please have a safe and Happy New Year!

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Music is a wonderful thing for an Alzheimer victim. "Al" was not in the mood to sing here, but he was whistling and slapping away!  Video takes a few seconds to start.

Post by Sheri Zschocher.

Living with Bob and "Al"

                                             

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Living with Bob and "Al"

Like for many, Christmas and the holidays, have changed over the years. As she watches Bob fade into the shadows, Sheri cares less and less about the material things of this world and more about family, friends and enjoying time together.
 Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, stay safe and hug your loved ones.


John 3:16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob must have watched a Christmas movie at "work" yesterday. As Sheri left the Day Care Center parking area, "Al" looked around and said "I don't see many people from work's cars, they were having trouble with the dancers, certainly not sugarplums, no initiative to do anything thing at all."
Heavy sigh... :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

When Sheri asked Bob how is day was at "work" (code for adult day center) yesterday, "Al" replied with the now common disgust in his voice and said " I think all my employees took their holiday early... they had no motivation to do anything today. I had to pull a few off to side to speak to them about it."  
Sheri would love to be a fly on the wall :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri figured something out yesterday. She realized that whatever Bob is doing right in the moment is what "Al" did at "work" (code for Adult Day Center) that day. Last week Sheri had him peeling potatoes at home and out came a story of "Al" peeling potatoes at "work" and how they only ask him to peel the potato's. Then yesterday Sheri had Bob attempt to sweep the kitchen floor and a story unfolded about "Al" sweeping the floor at "work" and they had only asked him to do this. The same sequence of conversation continued as she let him try to dry the dishes she was washing.  "Al" repeated theses stories over and over until he fell asleep last night. Sheri is glad he feels important, sad that this is what Bob's hardworking life has come to.
This disease is very hard to watch.

2 Corinthians 4:16
16 Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.   

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob was drinking his coffee yesterday morning when  "Al" turned to her and said " You know who I haven't  heard from lately... Iris." Sheri was caught of guard, Iris his oldest sister died many, many years ago 1984 Sheri thinks. Sheri has known for a while that Bob has moved into losing long term memory but she just was not prepared for this stage. Sheri just nodded, and redirected the conversation.
Subtle changes,  Sheri hates this disease.

Living with Bob and "Al"

If ever there were a season
that holds the emotions too near
it is the season of holly 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 left many 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, "goin' through the motions"
It is just hidden in "Happy New Year"....