Tennessee Ernie Ford, "Amazing Grace, 40 Treasured Hymns". I love this album as it brings back happy memories from my childhood, listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford on his TV show, or from the albums my father collected of his as well. Ah, yes, "Precious Memories" indeed.
My sweet 93 year old mother in law is sitting in her chair here beside me, listening, singing along and dozing off at the same time. These hymns have been like a tonic for her...calming her spirit and lifting her to a sacred place of worship and praise between her and her Savior. I love to watch her as she sits with her eyes closed and prayerfully harmonizes along with each hymn.She just woke up from a little dozing off with the most beautiful smile on her face, and I just had to take her picture so you could see. She said, "How long was I asleep?" I told, her "Not long...you were just feeling such peace listening to the beautiful music, you drifted off to another realm".
"Nanny", as we call her, has dementia, but lately, with the help of the Lord and some good medicines, she has become more like her old self mentally. That is a true blessing to us, her co-caregivers. We share the responsibility with her other son and family, and a couple of months ago she was getting so difficult to deal with we were all about desperate to place her in a nursing home. I don't mind telling you this because it was something that was becoming unbearable for all of us. Caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's takes a terrific toll on the family...both in emotional and physical health. It also puts a great strain on marriages and other interpersonal relationships.
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| Nanny getting her first real pedicure! |
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| And a manicure helps keep those nails from chipping and cracking. |
However, being 93+ years old does continue to take its toll on her body physically. As if in exchange for her having a sweet spirit again, her body is starting to weaken and become more frail each day. Hence the pretty pink cast on her right arm, from when she fell a few weeks ago and broke her thumb. She tends to fall easily these days...so protecting her from getting hurt becomes a greater challenge.
To help us keep track of her at night we bought a baby monitor to put in her bedroom. Now, in addition to listening to my sweet hubby breathing/sometimes snoring, I can also hear his mother wiffling in her sleep from her room on the opposite end of our house. Quite a cacophony at times! But then, when I sleep I serenade the whole house with my snorts! So I guess we're even! Ha Ha!
We know that there are still some major challenges ahead. We are taking things one day at a time, and seeking God's direction for whatever is best for all concerned. I believe He has her life in His hands, and He will continue to care for her one way or the other until He calls her home. I pray also that He will continue to give us wisdom and strength for each day so that we will know what is best for all concerned.
In the meantime, we will continue to enjoy these pleasant interludes together and be thankful for God's little reprieve. And listening to old time gospel hymns and other music from her past is a precious way to keep that smile on her face and her spirit in tune with her master until He calls her home someday. It kind of soothes my soul too. So that's a win-win!!
For some previous posts about our caregiving experience with "Nanny", Click HERE: http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2015/04/trying-to-stay-on-track.html,
http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2014/11/thanksgiving-role-reversal-and-golden.html
http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2016/03/wave-white-flag-i-surrender.html
http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2016/08/serving-with-grace.html
http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2015/08/enjoying-nanny.html
http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2014/10/change-of-plans.html
