It is Day 20 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge and NaBloPoMo. Today's post is my submission to the 100 words on Saturday Blog Hop and today's prompt was provided by Suzy Que from "Someday Somewhere". I wrote this piece in memory of my Grandma who had Alzheimer's and passed away in 2006.
Her name was Laura. Occasionally
people visited claiming to be family.
For the life of her, she couldn’t place them. She smiled; happy they came whoever they were.
Her name was Laura. Occasionally
people visited claiming to be family.
For the life of her, she couldn’t place them. She smiled; happy they came whoever they were.
They brought pictures. One picture showed a handsome man smiling
back. “I was married to him once.” She couldn’t recall his name, but she knew they
had been happy then.
They told her he
had gone to be with Jesus and supposedly three of her children had followed him
there. Dementia had robbed her memories
but sometimes a glimmer of her old self could be seen in the shadow of her
smile.
This is beautiful and could well be a true story.
ReplyDeleteReally good job, GF?
Jo, actually this is a true story. I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments!
DeleteSome old memories are so well etched in our minds that any amount of dementia cannot really erase them. This is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteRainbow Hues, It really was amazing how she remembered that she had been married to Grandpa once. Over 50 years truth be told. She was always so happy to see us when we visited even though, bless her, she never really could figure out just who we were. She would actually say...I am not sure who you are but I thank God that you came to see me. She was delighted and despite the Alzheimer's never lost her faith in God. She always knew Him which I think is pretty remarkable. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments!
DeleteLovely! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNandana, I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Some prompts just bring things to mind like this and work. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments!
DeleteThanks so much for sharing. Certain memories are meant to stick no matter what.
ReplyDeleteI think you must be right! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments~! ♥
DeleteThis is very beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteShail, thank you. I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteSo touching and beautiful, loved it.
ReplyDeleteSulekkha, I am so pleased you liked it. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteIt's such a shame when this disease hits one of our loved ones. You wrote with compassion.
ReplyDeleteSally, I am so pleased you enjoyed this. My grandma died with Alzheimer's a mere shadow of the woman she once was. I drew this story from a very vivid memory of one of our visits. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteNicely done. Alzheimers hits home for so many. My father-in-law suffered with this disease.
ReplyDeleteTayla, I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteMy grandmother had parkinsons and I remember her forgetting a lot of things but whenever she saw me she always called me by my mother's name. For some strange reason she could not remember my name but my mother's. And the shadow of smile is what perhaps is always left in such cases...
ReplyDeleteRicha
Richa, how sad. I would have been happy with at least that recognition. Grandma really didn't know me at all as the disease progressed. Once my Dad died, all memory of me and him seemed to be erased as if she mentally blocked out her pain from his death. It was then I felt she really took a turn for the worse. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteWhat a sweet story. Dementia and Alzheimers are sooooo cruel. My cousin has Alzheimers and she has no idea who her kids are, and strings together a lot of nonsensical sentences which breaks my heart. She's only in her 70s.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, that is sad! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ☻
DeleteThis reminds me of The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Poignant.
ReplyDeleteAlka, I loved that book. I haven't read it in a long time. What touched me most about my Grandma was how happy she was and how in tune with God she was despite the disease. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteKathy, this is sooo beautiful and this scenario of both Dementia and Alzheimer's Scares me to no end.. Take care U and whosoever she is ..I wish her moments of love and bliss.. :)
ReplyDeleteMe, it is kind of scary to me too. I can't imagine not knowing my children or husband. It would be a very scary way to live out the end of your life. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteVery beautifully written, Kathy! Some memories can never be erased!
ReplyDeleteShilpa, to me that is a comfort! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments. I am so pleased you enjoyed it! ♥
DeleteSo beautiful Kathy... such a lovely memory :)
ReplyDeleteSukupedia, I am so pleased you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteSuch a touching piece. We just my aunt yesterday who suffered from this very thing. You captured the emotion in your story so well. Love the picture of your grandma!
ReplyDeleteWinnie, I like this picture of her too. I have lovely memories of her. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteBeautiful!! There are some memories which are so well eteched in our mind that nothing can erase them. Being married to your grand pa must have been one of those memories :)
ReplyDeleteSmita, evidently! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments. I am so pleased you enjoyed it! ♥
DeleteBeautiful description and your sensitive disposition makes it memorable.
ReplyDeleteNeelamhere, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteA beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul!
ReplyDeleteMe, she did have a beautiful soul and I am certain she is happy in heaven with so many of her family and friends there with her. I am so pleased you enjoyed my post. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
Deleteoh wow!
ReplyDeleteThat was hauntingly beautiful!!
nytakeoneverything9, I am so happy you liked it!! Thank you for stopping by and for you sweet comments! ♥
DeleteThat brought tears to my eyes. These are the things I'd rather not think about. You wrote it so beautifully and there was hope in the story despite everything. She remembered her happiness.
ReplyDeleteKalpanaa, that in itself was amazing to me too. I was so glad she at least remembered Grandpa. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteForgetfulness cant be always pleasant . Right ? feel sorry for her but some times some memories wiped off can give bliss
ReplyDeletegod bless her kathy
Afshan, I have had lots of "bad" memories and I have chosen to block them out. It is a whole different matter when disease robs you of all your memories. Now she is in heaven, and I am sure whole once more and blissfully happy. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteBeautiful job and hope shez happy wherever she is. I was touched reading about Grandma and I wonder what's life has in store for us. She is a very beautiful lady.
ReplyDeletePeace be upon her.
Vishalbheeroo, there is no doubt in my mind that Grandma is in heaven with Jesus happy as a clam and at peace. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteA lovely tribute to your grandmother - and she looks so sweet too. Thanks so much for writing on my prompt.
ReplyDeleteSuzy, I am pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!
DeleteI second Suzy. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeletedamantiwrites, I am so happy you liked it. Thank you for stopping in and for your kind comments!
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