Living with Bob and "Al"

Sometimes Sheri feels like she is in a race against time. She needs to pause, praise and pray.

James 4:14 

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Living with Bob and "Al"

When Sheri picked Bob up from "work" (code for Adult Day Center) yesterday. "Al" said he had a difficult day, because he "Just could not get any cooperation from his team, in getting the snow cleared," All Sheri could picture was the dear sweet 80+ year old lady that sits by the front desk ... with a snow shovel attached to her walker  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al" the kind soul that he is , loves his present, the medical ID bracelet that Sheri got him. The only issue Bob has (other than he never wore any kind of jewelry) is that the bracelet slides down on his hand which is really bothering "them". So much so "they" are obsessed with trying to get it to stay in place. Bob was a problem solver, fixing things and solving problems is what he did. So Sheri should not have been surprised to see that Bob came up with his own solution to the bracelet problem, "Al" looped the bracelet over the button and buttoned  the button to hold the bracelet in place. Foiled by a button yet again :)

Living with Bob and "Al" Epiphany part 2 of 4

Epiphany Part 2:
The day of the first shower which was this past Tuesday, Sheri was nervous and uncomfortable just thinking about the process, so by early afternoon she had to email to see how it had gone. Sheri got a quick response from the daycare. It went wonderfully well "Al" had whistled himself right through it. Sheri was elated. So very pleased. He did not question it, challenge it, or remember it.  Her friends had all prayed that it would go well. What more could she ask for? Until her psyche took over...

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri picked Bob up from 'work" (code for Adult Day Center) yesterday and attempted to make conversation as she usually does. "How was your day" she asked. What followed was this. "I was busy separating...football game I did not... no one will say... parking lot." All the while Bob was waving his finger in the air as he spoke.Then "Al" went back to his usual silence and Bob did not say anything else the rest of the way home. Sheri often wonders if in his head..it all sounds right.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is having a "Calgon take me away" kinda week :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri wishes sometimes, that she could go back in time and listen to the words of Bob's heart. She would have listen more intently and cared more deeply about the things that mattered most to him.
Learn from my loss.

Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob can not seem to remember which car door to get into. "Al" apparently, would rather sit in the back seat and be chauffeured around. Oh wait... Bob did mention being on tour again yesterday with Daniel O'Donnell, maybe "Al" was expecting the star treatment :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri took Bob to Target yesterday, grocery shopping day. The temp was about 15 degrees but the wind was wicked. Sheri parked, hung the handicap sticker, instructed Bob to take off his seat belt and get out of the car. When Sheri got out she realized Bob was having trouble shutting the car door. So she walked over and helped him close it. Thinking he was right behind her she started walking behind the car, to head towards the store. When she turned around to wait for him Bob was nowhere to be found. Sheri panicked for a moment, until she realized  "Al" had forgotten if they were coming or going and was back inside the car :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob's life spent silent, Al wants to talk...
Remembering stories, of Bob's life walk

Bob thinks of people he once knew well
Al's stories are all jumbled, buy only I can tell

The words are there on the tip of Al's tongue
But Bob swallows hard , and just that fast they are gone.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri had the opportunity to have lunch with a beautiful lady on Friday. A very sweet lady that is the mother of a young woman Sheri worked with  many years ago, someone she always felt close to. This sweet lady ( the mother) has had her own "Al" for many years too. It was a blessing to spend time together and talk about things that are hard to talk about with someone who has not walked our walk. God gives us people in our past because He knew back then we would need each other in our future. God is good.