Uncategorized – Page 3 – this is our life

In my corner 2

I stepped out onto our street after speaking of how thoroughly and well Burt had looked after me. My hope was [and is] that he still does. Here’s the proof on the block: Thank you.

He always cheered for me. Burt was always my champion, even in areas he personally had no interest. Zumba classes. My poetry. Things he would never do, although he dutifully and lovingly listened to my poems. He encouraged me. He enlightened me. His insights, some made during the years of his slow decline, were oftenContinue reading “In my corner”

In memory of

Burton P.- the man I love A pictorial of our recent past

The process

Grieving is a process that involves and invokes memories. Thanks to the volubility of my deeply missed beloved, I have lots of memories, even from his childhood. Burt told me many stories. I learned of the running board on his grandfather’s truck; the grandfather with whom he planted cucumbers. I heard how he met hisContinue reading “The process”

All of a Sudden

Burt was my companion, my love, my guide, my partner, my pal for so many years and then he started withdrawing. That was not a conscious withdrawal but one he could not control. It was caused by the dementia that was also causing him to lose himself. Lost and not lost, as I have said,Continue reading “All of a Sudden”

Picture book

Our haunts

During the early years of the journey, Burt had destinations. He used to love to sit outside the HHS lobby; he befriended one of the security guards, Mr. Phillips, and would converse himself whenever we went there. The route was across the 78th Street bridge over the Drive and down the East River Esplanade. IContinue reading “Our haunts”

What else I am doing

Time with friends is a great support system during the journey and then when it abruptly stops. I have lots of plans. I have lots of wonderful friends with whom to hang.

The long before

Burt was well for a much longer time than he was ill. That is obvious as I write it, but it only just occured to me. The last 5 years have been that intense. So engrossing that I almost forgot. Almost. There was a long, happy before. The before celebrates Burt and me; it celebrates us.

Here’s how it went

Here’s what happened. First, Burt seemed listless. That was unusual for him. I was out at the gym a lot and he was at home a lot. He had fallen and cut his cheek badly a year earlier. He had had a bout with never-explained double vision. That was a couple of years before. AndContinue reading “Here’s how it went”