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May. 25th, 2008 11:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pen_gruntI've been trying to compartmentalize and sum up a lot of thoughts lately. My grandfather died Friday, and I've wanted to say a lot about the way Alzheimer's affects people--particularly the family around the person with the disease.
But I just haven't been able to. I keep making light of the situation, and it's all okay, really. If anyone has known anyone with Alzheimers, you know that it's a double-death. The person you know dies first, then the body. So in a way, my mourning has been done for a while.
That explains why I blurted out (nearly to myself, but not quite), "Bring out yer dead" as they came to pick up the body at the nursing home.
It explains why we all laughed hysterically when my mom called for pickup OUTSIDE in the hall, within earshot of all the other residents instead of in the room. Way to give 'em the old pep-talk ma.
It explains why, when my mom told me who would be singing at the funeral (a family friend with Alzheimer's--which they thought would be a particularly fitting tribute), I suggested that they populate the funeral entirely with Alzheimer's patients. You know, just to see what would happen. :)
I'm a smart ass. I deal with humor, I think.
But I just haven't been able to. I keep making light of the situation, and it's all okay, really. If anyone has known anyone with Alzheimers, you know that it's a double-death. The person you know dies first, then the body. So in a way, my mourning has been done for a while.
That explains why I blurted out (nearly to myself, but not quite), "Bring out yer dead" as they came to pick up the body at the nursing home.
It explains why we all laughed hysterically when my mom called for pickup OUTSIDE in the hall, within earshot of all the other residents instead of in the room. Way to give 'em the old pep-talk ma.
It explains why, when my mom told me who would be singing at the funeral (a family friend with Alzheimer's--which they thought would be a particularly fitting tribute), I suggested that they populate the funeral entirely with Alzheimer's patients. You know, just to see what would happen. :)
I'm a smart ass. I deal with humor, I think.
