My lovely grandmother Betty is one of the most important people in my life. I didn’t see her or my grandfather often growing up because they were missionaries in Africa for fifty years. When I was nineteen I spent several weeks driving her across the country to visit with friends and family as she and my grandfather moved from Connecticut to California (Grandpa couldn’t handle the long trip so flew most of the way). We grew so close on that trip. Now, I spend a lot of time taking care of her and my grandfather who are now in a nursing facility in Washington. My poor grandmother has dementia, and though still in the early stages, it’s hard to see her drifting away. This photo was from our family reunion this past December. It poignantly captures the moments when she escapes the fear and uncertainty of today and slips down memory lane.
It is very sad to lose a family member to dementia. My father is only 65 and Alzheimers set in when he was in his mid 50’s. It was early-onset according to the Dr. He doesn’t even know who we are and can’t function at 65. Dementia of any kind is horrible not only for the family around, but I think that inside them, they are still the vibrant people that they used to be and it probably is hurting them to not be able to communicate with us. At least that is how I feel. My father moved to Alaska in 1995 to become a church planter up there and now he and my family are so far away. Most likely I won’t see him again before he passes away.