Oversharing, longer answers than the question called for is the hallmark of my current convos. A neighbor asked how I was doing. She was sincere, but I tried to be brief. Midway to just saying, “we’re ok, thanks.” I proceeded to add, “we just got him a hospital bed, so that’s a whole new levelContinue reading “I did it again”
Author Archives: therealtamara
Found poetry
No, not a form of new age writing, just a poem which in our current context is sad. I envy you,remembering theaddresses of yourchildhood I remember nothingNot even grudges orThe names of friends or neighbors If memory is all we haveI have only you and ouryears togetherI remember all thatEvery touch, every tender moment MemoriesContinue reading “Found poetry”
Sweet
In some ways, he’s more my child than my husband. He seems to acknowledge this on some level when he refers to me as his mother; of course, when he does, it’s part of his confusions, delusions, and hallucinations. When I came back from an unusually late outing in which I enjoyed the hospitality ofContinue reading “Sweet”
Grateful
It’s easy to find little annoyances that “ruin” our day but honestly it’s just as easy to find gratitude. I am heading to meet some fellow caregivers at a party. Alzheimer’s Association 6th Annual Caregiver Appreciation Event will be our first in person meet-up. Those of us who’ve been answering writer prompts will also shareContinue reading “Grateful”
Too much
A side effect of Burt’s diagnosis has been my tendency to grossly overshare. How are you is a simple question but my answer is overloaded. Too often full of the kind of detail we bill as TMI. No simple answer. I try to keep it light or funny but I definitely talk too much. IContinue reading “Too much”
Advice from self
“Stick to your knitting” might be apt in these moments where my anxiety over my husband’s condition runs headlong into my feelings of patriotism and citizenship. I think I can do both. Worrying is a well-honed skill. I am more than capable to juggle the two. Neither is a small concern. There. I have interjectedContinue reading “Advice from self”
Party king
A birthday surprise
“I am never going here with you again,” Burt whispers. Maybe he even said “anywhere with you,” but you get the gist. It was a wonderful party. Our friends brought him thoughtful gifts. At my suggestion, we sang him the birthday song. (Do we still owe someone royalties on that?) The first arrivals talked amongContinue reading “A birthday surprise”
A question of time
Recently, a kindred caregiving spouse wondered how many hours of care she should consider for her husband. She had been going it alone, and with all her heart and love. Anyone who’s been there knows how intensely draining and lonely this can be. There comes a time on this journey when caregivers need relief. ForContinue reading “A question of time”
I am so relieved
Now I really am relieved. The fever Burt was running appears to have hit normal. The thermometer stopped its red scream and went to a peaceful green this morning. His head was cool to the touch. We haven’t heard what the picture that XRay Tommy took in our home looks like yet. But Tylenol seemsContinue reading “I am so relieved”
this is our life 