My Mother, My Love

I watched my precious brother gently grab my mom and began to dance with her to the praise song, "Every Praise." Mom began to laugh as she enjoyed this wonderful time with her son. I knew this moment was a turning point in both their lives as I watched mom smile with sheer delight as she swayed back and forth to the rhythm of the song...she was happy

Another song came on as my brother drew her near and she laid her head on his chest. He began to weep, being overcome with many emotions as he embraced her and I watched the confused look on her face as she wondered why he was weeping. She soon forgot and closed her eyes and entered another place because she felt secure and she was in her element, which was dancing and no doubt, she had been transported many years back to her youth and she danced away. This moment was only hers for just a moment but God had given it to my brother for the remainder of his life. He knew this would be the last dance with his mom.

Mom has no memory of this dance or of my brother's visit to Tennessee, because dementia has robbed her of the precious gift of memory. My brother wept as if he knew in the depths of his being that this moment was for him and he was right, mom entered the hospital two days later. Although the moment was bittersweet, it was a special moment in time for him and he will never forget it. I'm so glad that God gave my brother the opportunity to hold his mom and put the biggest smile on her face that I have seen in quite some time.

My special moments with mom are holding her hands as we walk. Her hands are always cold and she always comment that I have warm hands. My mom use to hold my hand as a child when we walked to keep me safe, now I hold her hand for the same reason. Mom looks the same, but dementia has robbed her of enjoying life and moments with people she loves. I can still bring a smile to her face by taking her to restaurants, and believe me, my mom loves Memphis Barbeque. So we go to dinners about twice a week, we go the Mall a couple times a month and sit and watch the people as they walk by and to the movies at least once a month. Mom sleeps at the movies, but she enjoys getting out.

Dementia is a wicked disease to me (all sickness is wicked if you are dealing with it) which robs the person of their personality, memory and peace; they look the same, but they are not the same person anymore. I have found that mom and I have changed position; I have become her mom. Sometimes, she thinks I am her sister, but I always know that she is my mom. Mama will always be mama in my heart.
How awesome God is to give us such sweet moments in our lifetime. His precious gifts to us never cease to amaze me; how sweet He is!

You may be going through a difficult trial in your life, but know that even within the trial, God gives moments that take our breath away. He takes the pain away and reveal to us how to walk in love and forgiveness; to overlook some things and when it's really stressful, he shows us how to cope. Dementia has some very challenging effects on the patient as well as on the caregiver, but if we look close enough, God gives us something to focus on that make the brings a smile to our face, if just for a moment. I pray that whatever you are going through, financial issues, family problems, marital problems, health challenges or employment issues, remember the words of the Apostle Paul, that what so ever state he finds himself in, he has learned to be content. Oh, how I love the Holy Spirit, because He is our comforter and our peace and every present help in times of trouble I love my mama, exceedingly blessed.