Taking care of my father has become quite a formidable task. Every day has new challenges as his Alzheimer’s continues to advance. It will now be three years in May since I started to take care of him. In the beginning he was still able to walk by himself and tend to his garden among other things. Unfortunately, I have seen first-hand both his mental and physical decline. Mentally, he appears to be in a constant state of confusion, not knowing the difference between a spoon or fork, his bedroom and the bathroom and whether I am his son or brother or, at times, his father (he has referred to me as all those names). Physically, his ability to walk has degenerated to the point that he needs a cane, moreover, he will probably need a wheelchair soon, very soon.
Surprisingly he has some wonderful moments of lucidity where he appears to be pretty normal. Unfortunately those moments appear when we have guests who thereby think that I am crazy for claiming that my father is ill. Of course those visits are generally brief so that our guests may go away with mistaken impressions. On the other hand I am with my father 24-7; and his behavior varies hour from hour.
Like the time I heard a splashing sound at about three in the morning when apparently my father thought the hallway was the bathroom and he proceeded to urinate in a planter (the plant though bewildered survived that encounter). Or the time my father decided to hide in a closet while I went crazy trying to find him. Or my father’s daily extensive conversations on politics and society… with our parrot (named Henry). I am expecting Henry to answer him back any day now.
In the last couple of weeks a new pattern of sleeplessness had emerged in my father; consequently leading to a constant pattern of sleeplessness in yours truly. I contacted my father’s doctor who then prescribed some very strong sleeping pills. Well now he sleeps so deeply that he actually begins singing very loud at about three in the morning sound asleep. Actually, I’ve gotten rather used to his early morning serenades.
Speaking of doctors, It has become quite apparent that their attitude (when dealing with seniors) is somewhat patronizing. It is as though they would rather deal with younger patients. Almost as if they do not really care. I mean my father’s health program does not even have a geriatric’s department. Everything is geared to the younger components of our society; even medical care.
Suffice to say that GOD has placed me in my current situation and I gladly (though at times quite tiredly) accept this challenge. I have lost many job opportunities, I have lost some supposed friends, but I have gained so much more than I have lost. My perspective on taking care of my father is that I am exactly where I am supposed to be; doing the right thing for the right reasons. Moreover, if I have contributed in making my father’s life a bit more comfortable because of his situation, then in turn his situation has enriched me in a way that I would never have imagined. I would never trade my current situation for any other “job” or circumstance.
At the end of the day the pure good spirit that was my dad still emerges from time to time; and he let’s me know that he appreciates my efforts. That is reward enough. Though I still can’t get used to changing his diapers; oh well no one is perfect I imagine.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
A Little Boy's Explanation of GOD
THIS IS FABULOUS!!!
It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.' I wonder if any of us could have done as well?
[ ... And he had such an assignment, in California , and someone published it,
I guess miracles do happen ! ... ]
EXPLANATION OF GOD:
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'
'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'
'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.'
'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church.'
'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.'
'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.'
'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'
'You should always go to church on Sabbath because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!
Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.'
'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'
'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure
God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.
And...that's why I believe in God.'
It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.' I wonder if any of us could have done as well?
[ ... And he had such an assignment, in California , and someone published it,
I guess miracles do happen ! ... ]
EXPLANATION OF GOD:
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'
'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'
'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.'
'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church.'
'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.'
'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.'
'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'
'You should always go to church on Sabbath because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!
Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.'
'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'
'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure
God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.
And...that's why I believe in God.'
Saturday, January 2, 2010
12 Cascabeles Llevan Mis Caballos
Dance to this; my DAD does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADTcQUeBTDY&feature=related
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year To All!
May all your dreams come true; and you all be blessed with a solid income, good health and much love. GOD bless you all now and always. Happy 2010!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Love Thy Enemies
Matthew 5:38-48, 6:1-4
38) " You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39) But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40) and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41) and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42) Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. 43) You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46) For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47) And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48) You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 6:1) Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2) Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3) But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4) so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
38) " You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39) But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40) and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41) and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42) Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. 43) You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46) For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47) And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48) You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 6:1) Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2) Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3) But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4) so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Sunday, November 8, 2009
The Way to Go
Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy shit ...what a ride!'
George Carlin
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy shit ...what a ride!'
George Carlin
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A Passage from the Bible
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5) Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11) Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Hay Caramba
Dad took out the dirty dishes from the dishwasher and put them away with the clean ones. Turn your back for one minute... Oh well, he mean't well, now we have to wash ALL the dishes.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A Thought from the other Jesus:
4) And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house."
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