By: Karen Bender

Karen Bender — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 04:34:15 +0000

This is beautiful. I found losing parents to Cancer very painful, but losing one to dementia was far worse in some respects. And yet it was also and conversely better. We got to see a certain innocence and purity occasionally which was sweet. Singing old songs with Mom made her smile and become “present” again. Now she had time to be, to stop doing and fussing. We sat and held her hand or brushed her hair. Simple acts of care had a beauty about them. Her love of being a bit naughty and smiling over it drew us close to her. Helping her on with difficult underthings while she gel me around the shoulders became a precious moment because she thought we were dancing together and she offered an extra shimmy. Her love and laughter unimpeded by any barriers was a precious gift. Being able to help was a glorious burden. I thank God for this gift. And I know your father is one of the most loving people I’ve ever known. I’m so happy you are sharing deeply in his life as it is now. He is a blessing as his family is.

By: Denise Fortier

Denise Fortier — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 17:52:00 +0000

Thank you Kirsten for sharing your thoughts so eloquently. Unlike your father, the sign hung by my front door reads: “Plays in Dirt”.
This week I took the last of the “box-ripened” tomatoes from between the leaves of newsprint and cooked them into a luscious red sauce for winter dinners. With your words in my mind I will savour those meals, and share the gift with some of my friends whose gardening days are long past.

Comments on: Reddening in the Dark

By: Karen Bender

By: Denise Fortier