Friday, April 16, 2010

Hello, Weekend!

WooHoo!  Laddie recognized me yesterday and said (clear as day), "Jenny Claire, I love you."  It has been months since he has seemed to acknowledge me as even someone he vaguely recognized, much less said my name.  He stayed awake the entire time I was there (also unusual), and although he tried to talk, nothing else was comprehensible.  Can't believe how much my spirits were lifted by those few words!

A little peek at details of one item I've been working on.

So many things going on at the same time, it takes forever to get one completed.  I've been a bit stymied by some doll clothing lately.  Creating doll clothes out of fabric is more time-consuming (and filled with judgment errors) than painted clothes.

Thank goodness, the above doll did not require fabric clothing-- because the two dresses I've been working on are so slow in coming to fruition.  Partly as a result of not thinking things out before-hand, I keep having difficulties.  Hope this is a learning process and that some misjudgments will be avoided in the future.  Yeah, right!

Hope you are all having a delightful Friday!

5 comments:

  1. What a triumph. I wondered how he was doing.

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  2. Gerrie - It was a triumph for me. A few coherent words, and I remember who he really is. Since the stroke on top of the Alzheimer's, the last several years have been spent trying to keep in mind the real Laddie.

    On NPR the other day, there was a report about how even when they can't remember when they last saw you (or even who you are), if there is something positive in the visit, AD patients have a residual effect of joy/happiness/elevated mood. I thought he was past even that, but there is always the residual effect for me!

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  3. (((((Jenny)))) That is wonderful.

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  4. Everytime I call my parents, and speak to my mother, I wonder if this will be the time, she does recognize my name our our relationship. I know that will be a hard day.

    For now, she knows me, remembers me. Even when I show up in Alaska and walk into her bedroom, and speak to her, with her blind eyes, and Alzheimer's impairments,she still remembers. So far...

    The tangles in the brain make it so much harder, but I know from working with her, through me into her, she has tried to explain to me how it feels.

    They are reaching through the fog to find us all the time, just as they are reaching through to try to find themselves.

    I am so grateful you made contact, may there be many more times, as well.

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  5. Debby - It made my day, and I'm still smiling when I think about it!

    Michele - It is difficult when they begin losing their recognition of you. So much of who we are centers on our parents visions of us.

    I'm glad your mother can still find comfort in knowing her daughter...and you can still have that connection!

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Good to hear from you!