#from-before – Page 4 – this is our life

I was prompted

It’s hard to feel like you’re thriving in the midst of the downward cycle of dementia. My policy, as I have often called it, was to get help in early so I could get “me time.” It was to save myself, to keep from drowning, to stay positive. In retrospect with Burt-dear Burt- gone, IContinue reading “I was prompted”

Braving his fears

Burt had always seemed to be a “scaredy cat.” As his dementia progressed, he was fearful of the many dogs in our building. He would shoo them and then regret his rudeness and make his peace with their owners. He worried loudly when he participated in his PT or when we moved him in hisContinue reading “Braving his fears”

Glad you asked

Sorry to have this answer Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to. Marriage isn’t rightly described as a phase. Some are soon ended. Others last from highschool sweetheart on, til. Ours started in midlife and ended with Burt’s death. Nearly 33 years married and almost 35 together. Maybe, like hisContinue reading “Glad you asked”

Esplanade

D and I made plans to take a walk today. The weather’s been mild. Maybe we’ll cross the bridge that goes over the FDR to the Riverwalk. Burt and I used to walk there all the time. I mean, before he got sick, too. For a while, when he was still walking, we would goContinue reading “Esplanade”

The past: our prologue

A picture album

Collateral damage

Burt is in the line of fire as Lewy takes more and more of his self. I feel for his losses as I do for my own. He spoke of himself in the third person today. “Does Burt know?,” he asked. I don’t understand so much of what he utters these days, but I heardContinue reading “Collateral damage”

Memories

What makes you feel nostalgic? A YouTube video of snow cascading outside a coffee shop with jazz pleasantly playing prompted «It’s a slow game, but it’s good« from Burt. Lately, Burt will comment on a “movie” he feels he’s watching even with the TV off, so mention of the «game« didn’t throw me. For me,Continue reading “Memories”