A Daughter's Love

by Tina Y. Gerber - McCurley

It is a beautiful Sunday morning here in Canada. The raindrops gently fall from the sky and a gentle breeze touches my face. I feel so Blessed.

A very large frog greets me at the doorstep. A huge scream escapes my lips and fills the normally quiet neighbourhood. I wondered if anyone noticed my scream. Do they even care?

It made me think about my mother's ongoing battle with Dementia. Dementia is a mental deterioration which impairs judgement, thinking and memory. Here is a recount of a day in her life.

It was my usual morning visit, assisting her with the activities of daily living.

This today seems relatively good for her. I found her outside, struggling with the weeds on her small patio. With brittle bones, and hunched back, she does not remember, it is unsafe to go outside alone, especially without her walker or cane. Mother smiles as she sees me, then asks if I can spend the day with her?

She has had only a few episodes or outbursts of anger. She looks at me and it warms my heart. At times, she reacts to circumstances and events anxiously, it is her way of dealing with the changes taking place in her brain. She no longer understands what is going on and often becomes bewildered and distressed.

I know, prevention is one of the best ways to manage aggression.

I distract her and start talking about her strawberry plant which my sister had given her. She grasps for the proper words, she is frustrated.

As I serve her sautéed onions, scrambled eggs, bacon and home fries, I remind her, I am a better cook then my sister Joy!

She giggles, we both smile and giggle at our foolishness. This has become an ongoing joke between us. My sister is a fabulous cook.

Living in this world, at the best of times, can still feel lonely and scary. Now just imagine not being able to communicate or even articulate your needs and desires. Not being able to recognize cherished loved ones can be another source of frustration and confusion.

Many today, like my mother are trapped under a tremendous burden. Is it fair? It certainly can seem not, however, looking from another perspective, we must remember God is great. He can save, rescue us and enable us to experience security while experiencing infirmities in our lives. I may not know what the future has in store, but I believe God to be faithful, and just.