Comments on: Mother Dear, What Have You Done?

By: John H. Farr

John H. Farr — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:02:32 +0000

Been way past “obstinate and cranky” in this case for at least 20 years, and that’s being generous — 40 or 50 would be more like it. This isn’t an instance of a sweet old lady losing her bearings. She’s had her moments, though, and done her part.

Could be a merciful miracle unfolding. Could be just another turn in the road.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:49:08 +0000

I thought Mom was just being obstinate and cranky, too. Turns out she had Alzheimers. Get your mother to a doctor, and you get some knowledge. Get her some medical help for the depression which is so closely related to dementia and Alzheimers. The “out of sequence” stuff is a major symptom!! I wish someone had told me that was what was happening. She might still be alive………..

By: K.J. Webb

K.J. Webb — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:23:55 +0000

Extreme old age is never going to be a wonderful condition, but the worst part of it is that the very old often do things that cause their children to lose respect for them. Maybe respect doesn’t matter so much to them anymore. I can’t say until I get there. Things like pride and dignity are pretty fragile in all of us at the best of times. Try holding on to them when you’re hurting and scared all the time. Nobody’s written the book on how to do this. Each of us writes that book in his own head at the very end. It helps to be a believer, I suppose, but I wouldn’t know.