There are so many pictures of Burt, mostly during the journey, but a lot of us at ballgames, on walks having fun. The photos perch on every free surface in both rooms or sit tacked to the wall. Our wedding photos, and an album, are also part of the decor.
The photographic reminders take me back to the us from our happy go lucky first thirty years of our marriage.
Those photos are there, but I relate more closely to the pictures of him from the past 5 years.
Those are memories of the Burt I took care of, the Burt who needed my care. I remember my husband when he was healthy, too, but it’s a vaguer memory. I turn first to those years of Burt’s illness.
I’ve reassured friends that as time passed, I was focusing on the good and not the hard times that come with dementia.
Much of that good was the good we were lucky enough to experience during the journey.
It may be a tribute to how much we loved each other that I appreciated him during those last years. It was my privilege to share the journey with him.
this is our life 