quote:

Originally posted by Mandy L Garnier:
“Memory Lane”

Take a walk with me, my friend.
Let’s take a stroll down Memory Lane.
But please, I have just one request
As we travel this worn path.

Do not be surprised,
And do not be alarmed
If I repeatedly ask
For information you thought I knew.
Perhaps I will remember as we walk.
But chances are, I will need your help.
Please give me some gentle cues.

And if I still do not respond,
Please continue to help me along.
Tell me the name, the story, and the place again.
Frustration will take over if I search
For too long.

Some days, I may not even know my own name
Or even worse, recognize you.
But the time you spend with me
Gives me an opportunity to capture the past.
Won’t you walk with me some more
And make this moment last?

Many times, I will ask:
Who are you?
And where am I?
Will you please take me home?
I can’t remember why I’m here,
And I have lost my way.
Would you mind telling me one more time
Your name and the day?

Hold my hand,
Give a hug.
Smiles will help too.
Don’t you know
That I want so desperately
To know you?

I get angry and frustrated
When the words I want to say
Cannot be found.
Just smile and tell me it is okay.

I want you to be prepared,
As there may come a time
That frustration will overtake me
And my anger will not subside.

I may take off my clothes
Or shout curse words at you.
Please accept my apology now
If I hurt you by the things I do or say.
Please don’t take it personally.
Extend to me some grace.

It is then that I ask you
To stay calm as you speak.
Do not respond in anger
And please continue to try to reach

Through the web of confusion and anger,
Frustration and deep despair.
Please don’t ever let me forget
How much you still care.

Sing some songs from my past,
Try to involve me in the hobbies that I so loved.
Talk about the pets that I had,
The garden that I grew.
Show me pictures of my life.
Show me pictures of you.

Bring a book or a newspaper.
Although I may no longer be able to read,
I still enjoy the sound of your voice
And it is something I really need.

Allow me to help with daily activities.
Perhaps I can longer safely cook
But I can help mix and prepare.
Give me this opportunity
To participate and share.

In the folding of the laundry
Or help with putting the dishes away.
If I have forgotten how to do something
Or no longer remember where it goes,
Don’t get upset or irritated,
Just take a moment to remind and show.

If I wash the dishes with no soap,
Or put the peanut butter in the wrong place,
Allow me to savor my moment of accomplishment
Again, I ask, extend to me some grace.

You can always move the item to its rightful place
And rewash the dishes when I go.
There’s nothing to be accomplished
At this time by letting me know
What I didn’t do right.

Allow me to hold unto
My dignity as long as I can.
I don’t know for how long
I will be able to do these things with you.
Walk with me on this path, hold my hand.

Remember, life is but a moment
And this disease is stealing my moments away.
But if you can do as I ask
My moments will last a little longer each day.

No matter what path
This disease takes me on,
Just know that walking down Memory Lane with you
Has allowed me, even if just for a moment,
A glimpse into the life I once knew.

Thank you for your patience,
Thank you for your love
Thank you for taking this walk with me.
I may not be able to tell you anymore
Because the words I want to say
Just won’t come out.
But always know that I love you,
Of this you should have no doubt.

Began working on this in 2002 and completed in 2006, this poem is dedicated to the memory of my father-in-law, Jean Leon Garnier, who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. Written by Mandy L. Garnier

quote:

Posted

quote:

Originally posted by Mandy L Garnier:
Thanks Hope! Sorry, I put the wrong name. I hope as you travel the journey this journey with your husband, that you remember that he loves you and always will. He loves you more for traveling this journey with him without judgment or anger in those times that he can no longer act appropriately or cannot remember something that is so very important to you or to your family. I took care of my father-in-law for a couple of years and I miss him very much, even those times of the dishes with no soap or putting the peanut butter in the dishwasher... Have a wonderful day.