"eyes crinkle in evident delight to see you" This is what brought tears to my eyes. To know your dad delights in your love even if he can't express it as he'd surely like to. That love you give him is something so many of our elderly long for and never get from family who've long forgotten them. What a joy to see that the Alzheimers hasn't terminated the family bond as it has for so many.
I've had so much joy in my life. But this part isn't so great. I understand that! It's easy to get lost in the heartache, frustration, and plain injustice of it all, isn't it? I've learned that I have to focus on the opposite aspect (gratitude) to keep peace and find joy to share. If I'm doing laundry and I see socks are missing again, I give thanks that I had parents who gave me warm socks when I was a child. How many times did I lose mine? If I'm running to the store to pick up something, I can feel resentful about the loss of time and the inconvenience. Or I can be grateful that God gave me parents who surely ran to the store for me when I was small and unable to care for myself. If mom or dad couldn't remember something, I'd thank God that he's blessed me with so many memories of them to cherish. For me, the key is to turn everything into a moment of gratitude that I had what I'm now losing for so long. If that makes sense.
Thank you again for sharing. May G-d bless you and your family with peace and much joy in your time shared together. Is there an Alzheimers ping list?
What a wonderful attitude to have. I am going to try to borrow it.
Gratitude is the key to enjoying life.
Thanks.