This is probably one of the most beautiful viral videos that I have ever had the pleasure of watching. And I have publicly posted this because I have a familial testimony to share, and I think that the issue of Alzheimer’s Disease deserves more public attention and interest than it currently receives: My late Grandmother Marge was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in her late 80s. She was born in 1913, the daughter of two American immigrants, who survived two World Wars and a The Great Depression, was married to a John Deer Union worker, and was a librarian and avid bowler. She was loved an well-known by many (on top of being one of the first real and true Rosie the Riveters.) ^Ill never forget my interview with her my eighth grade year about her factory work in Illinois, producing munitions and war supplies in a factory alongside her peers. She described the involvement as something that “needed to be done,” and as something that she would “do again if she had to.” She readily gave me newspaper clippings and a testimonial of of her life at that time, and seemed surprised that I was interested in her experiences, but also very keen to tell me the truth about war, and very happy to share intimate time with me while interviewing (while eating good food, lol.) Grandma Marge was the matriarch of my small and intimate family. She often said to me in conversation many times that: “life was easier than it is now, it really is.” And I can only hope to one day say that to my children in such a manner as she did... Grandmas Alzheimer’s began as gradual process. At first she was in a couple of minor car accidents, and then a major accident sliding over ice into a ravine with me and my brother (she was the only one hurt: when her airbag exploded, it thrust her head into the dash board, and she required stitches afterword.) Anthony and I were unharmed. After that, we made a family decision to sell my Mother and Grandmothers family home to her neighbor, in good trust. And by Power of Attorney we moved my Grandmother from her home (of 60 years,) to an independent living facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. ...The whole process broke my Mothers heart so much that I cant comment any more on that fact. In her new home, my Grandma Marge was always reading, and so was my Mother. Mom was always learning and communicating all that she could to Anth and I about Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. And although my Brother and I were both out-of-state attending college at the time, she visited my Grandma Marge bi-weekly and constantly gave us updates on her situation. From there it was always little things, like Grandma forgetting to eat dinner, or feed the cat, or forgetting to call when we had asked her to. ...Eventually she was recommended to be placed in a dependent-care facility by her doctors. My mother says that this was when her clinical depression actually began, and became predominant. It was the first time in her life that My Grandmother had ever been “clinically depressed.” Every time Anth and I visited her in the nursing home, she always remembered us, contrary to the attributes that are common of her diagnosis. She kept a family picture album next to the bed, alongside her Bible. And never once did her consciousness ever forget who her family was or what they looked like, to speak to Grandmother Marges character. ...She had trouble with certain things that I had never remember she had trouble with, like her schedule and what she wanted to do in the future. And she couldnt remember who the President was in 2008 (but its not like I would ever fault her for that,) lol! At some point Mom told me that she could no longer bathe on her own, and needed help with daily functions, because her brain was just so old and muted by gravity... So we came home from college and immediately went to her. Despite her illness, she was always distinctly her, and loved trips and eating good food, and was always reading reading reading! She was in her early nineties at this point, and what a D*mn good woman she was! The process of her cellular brain deterioration was slow for my Grandmother Marge. But never once did she forget her family, or get violent (as many Alzheimer’s patients often do.) She was a scientific miracle. And we loved her so! In my junior year at college, in the Fall of 2008, she passed away in the early evening from a stroke. It was completely unexpected, as she was in perfect health despite her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Thankfully she had my Brother and Mother at her side when she passed. I was still at college in Missouri and busy at that time, attending to Rush Week for my National Honors Fraternity. ...Ill never forget that phone call. Nor will I ever forget my guilt for not being there by her side at that time... My life took a turn for the worst after Grandmother Marge died. I dropped out of college and made more than a few lot of poor decisions. It took me several years of therapy and a lot of work to get over the grief that at the time—I just couldnt understand how someone as *amazing* as her could be gone ~just like that,~ with all of Americas technological advancements... My mother says that Grandma Marge used to dance, and sing, and light up whenever musicians came to preform for her. And if I could go back into the past and do anything different, knowing what I know now, it would be to visit my beautiful grandmother as often as possible to play her all her favorite music. Sometimes I sit and listen to todays popular songs and imagine what Grandma Marge would have thought about them. And when I need the motivation to continue with my studies, I think to her. She will always be here with me, deep inside my heart, guiding my with her spirit. I know that Grandma Marge is in another life now, in another heaven, listening to Lawrence Welk and all the various interpretations of “Amazing Grace~” She simply just has to be! She was too good, too well-loved, and too important in her contributions not to be, you see! If I could ask all of you on Facebook to do anything to honor your grandparents this Thanksgiving, it would be to play music for them now: whenever, wherever and however you can. And I would also encourage you to enjoy the experience actively and fully cherish every single moment of it (and just take in to the wonderful stories that ensue!) :-) You never know in this waking life exactly when your Grandparents spirits will be off to a better and more magical place, without you (but still with you, in a certain sense.) Please take the time to enjoy your Grandparents company this Thanksgiving, Facebook. Geriatrics really are the best storytellers and most trustworthy in all your family! And they have lived, and done, and communicated, and loved, and it needs to be heard by you! ...Forever and always :-)
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 01:49:44 +0000