Staring Down The Night Of Day V

“Come on Nana lets get dressed, we’re going shopping today” I tell her as she is still lying in the bed.

“Shopping? Where are we going shopping” She asks with her usual morning smile. “We gonna have breakfast first”? Have you had breakfast?

Staring Down The Night Of Day IV

He said “the remodel will take about two weeks.” So Sherry gathered the few personal items and clothes that Nana would need for her stay. Nana would be comfortable there, Sherry is the daughter that everyone would want. She is organized, hyper, extremely thorough, efficient, sweet and beautifully manicured.  She loves her mother to no end and will give up a tremendous amount to take care of her.

Staring Down The Night Of Day III

It’s Friday, Memory Writing Class day at the Senior Center. Each Friday is a rush to get Nana up, fed, dressed and into the car. We (I) have the responsibility of getting her bottled water wrapped with a paper towel into a zip-lock baggie. The newspaper, although never brought from the tote bag. And not to forget the umbrella if there is a cloud within a 20 mile radius. Oh Lord the keys and the lock, always HAVE to have 2 keys (in case one is lost) to get back in the house. She asks me a couple of times before we get to the Senior Center if we have each of these. She’s thorough for sure. 11:00 is a tight squeeze for us, as Nana is not so worried about her time now. I PANIC! The one thing that absolutely destroys my nerves anymore is the slightest thought that I will be late! She s-l-o-w-l-y moves as if she doesn’t care about my upcoming heart failure.

Staring Down The Night Of Day II

After her morning walk, she sets down to read the paper. I come in the mornings to help out. Hi Nana, how are you? I bring her breakfast every morning which includes scrambled eggs, sausage and biscuit. Gotta get the jelly, blackberry of course. “Have you had breakfast?” A question she asks every morning, she doesn’t care to eat in front of others if they aren’t eating too. She eats well, she loves pepper on her eggs, I put pepper on but… she has to add more, she’s a spicy lady.

Staring Down The Night Of Day I

Did I have my breakfast today? I wonder who’s coming over today. Maybe Linda. (Not remembering that Linda died 2 years ago.) I guess I can go get the paper while I wait. She thinks, I need my jacket and shades, it’s probably a little cool out. Nana heads out the door to get her paper in 82 degree weather in her jacket, shades, gown, white socks and black tennis shoes. She slowly in tiny little granny steps at a time takes her paper from the box and thinks to walk down the street in a slow motion moment filled with excitement. Cane in hand she is content and comfortable getting her morning walk in on her street. She knows the neighbors very well, as she has lived in her house for 40 years.

                                                                                                                                                      signed,  Alzheimer’s