Can you see God in Alzheimer's?

I can.   I can see God even in the throws of Alzheimer's, my Mother's Alzheimer's.   I took my son to my Mother's church on Mothers Day recently.  She was not there.   She was 2500 miles away in a Nursing Home where we live.   I really wanted to go to another service and at much more progressive Church, but I really felt called to go and honor my Mother and sit on her pew.   It was good, it was worth it.  I felt like I had given her a place to be for the day, Mother's Day.

Since my Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years ago, I have spent some time reflecting on how she used to be, how she used to sound, how she used to Mother me.   I will be 49 very soon and I still need my Mama.  I miss her so.  My Mother was funny and wise.   I did not always think that way about her, but what silly teenager does.  I would never associate the word Wisdom with my Mother, but I do now. 

I also think it's God's way of healing the Alzheimer's family.   He does not take them home right away, slow and gradually is his plan.   God has been showing me lots of things through this time.  Forgiveness, patience, humor, and even a little much needed joy.   My Mother is a different person now, she can't remember to worry about bills, jobs, children, sickness, life, she is only getting through each day one step at a time not really knowing where she is.   She is loved and she is safe, that is most important.

I recently sat down to write (no joke) down a few things about her (most of our Mom's), I was so afraid I would forget all she has taught me and meant to me.  Let me tell you the Wisdom of My Mother:

The things My Mother Said to Me:

You can't wear that!

Be Sweet

Always Act like a Lady

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all

And this one is my baby

Don't be so loud

Pay Cash

You look so pretty

You don't really need that, save your money

I will always love you

That fits you like a glove

Jesus is your one and only

Do you have enough money for gas?

I am so proud of you

Are you drinking enough milk?

You do remember her, she is your cousin

You can't date him, he is your cousin

God knows your heart

Do you need for me to get into the prayer closet?

You will be known by the company you keep, and don't forget it.

You make the best sweet tea

If you will stay home from school today with me, I will make you cheeseburgers!

There is a Heaven, and you bet your bottom dollar, there is a Hell

Take care of people who are in need, feed them

Just wait till you have children of your own!

My favorite, You are such a good mother

God blessed me with a good, wise and Godly Mother.   Our lives were not perfect, but who's is?  If I am a good Mother it's due to her example of faith and never going to the other side, never wavering for a minute in her love for God and her devotion to make sure we were taught every word Jesus spoke and what it meant to her.  My Mother was faithful, kind, generous, humble and always serving others.   For over 20 years she had a famous quote on her refrigerator, I guess she deemed this an important prose.

"Do all you can, for all those you can, for as long as you can"  and she did.

Her favorite quote to me was "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he gets old he will not depart from it."   It is so true.   Thanks Mama, I did come all the way back around.

All my Love, the Babe

Comments

[THANKFUL FOR MY MOTHER TOO]

Mother's arms and wisdom come straight from Heaven where God creates them. Way to go Babe!