Mother

 Can a woman forget her nursing child,
 And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
 Surely they may forget,
 Yet I will not forget you.
Isaiah 49:15 

Reassuring words from the One who walks with us
through the sadness and joys of a loved one's dementia.
I used to read this verse and think it meant it was impossible
for a mother to forget her nursing child - or child of any age.
But when it came to my mind the other day, I looked it up in various translations.
Now I see that many of them either imply or say outright
that it IS possible for a mother to forget...
How well I know.
I AM that child now.

According to one source:  The number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias will grow as the U.S. population age 65 and older continues to increase. By 2025, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million—a 40 percent increase from the 5 million age 65 and older currently affected. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease may nearly triple, from 5 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow or stop the disease.

12 comments:

  1. This is a profound post, and the Scripture is helpful.

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  2. Sending sweet hugs to your Mama....and like hugs to you, Rebecca.
    Beautiful post.
    Loving words.
    Love to you,
    Jackie

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  3. Went through all of this with my dear father. My prayers and love to both of you. Be assured that He loves you both and sees what you are going through.

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  4. Hi Rebecca,
    So sorry to hear about your Mom.........I have no experience with this, but I have had a number of friends who have and I know it is a very sad thing and a very hard thing to watch them slip away like
    that.............Love,Prayers, Blessings and Hugs to you sweet friend as you navigate these uncharted waters.
    Nellie
    P.S. I have not been by because your posts were not coming up on my blog roll for some reason
    so thought you were just busy or away..............was glad to see your post today.

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  5. Never thought of that scripture that way. So sorry to hear about your Mom's struggles. Must be very sentimental for you. I trust the Lord will give you comfort and the grace to not only bear the difficulties of this season, but to enjoy your Mom's company profoundly despite circumstances you never would have chosen. Blessings.

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  6. Visiting my mother in law who has Altzheimers, my daughter said it perfectly. "Her spirit remembers us, but her mind can't connect the dots". It really did seem that way.

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  7. Oh Dear Rebecca, how well I know this feeling... when The Man was recovering from his Traumatic Brain Injury... and once before after a Stroke... he didn't know who any of us were for quite some time and it was heart-breaking, especially for the G-Kid Force. And I've had Friends who suffered from Dementia or Alzheimers and could not recall who I was when I'd go to visit them in the Nursing Home. One day a Nurse asked me why I bothered to keep coming since they didn't even know who I was? My reply simply was, "Because I still know who they are!" Thanks for coming by for a Blog Visit, alas, my problem has never been lack of patrons to fund my Creativity, I have a patient waiting list of them who like me are waiting for when I can get back to the Process of Creating my Art!? *LOL* I do Believe that day will come, even though I may never have the time to be a prolific Artist and fulfill all of the requests. It is very flattering tho' that others have embraced my Creations with the same Love of owning a piece as I had in the Creating of it. You do impart a part of yourself in every Creation. Blessings and a Hug for you and your Dear Mom from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  8. I am sorry for this loss of memory Rebecca. How special to read that God never forgets us. One day you and your mother will meet again in full recognition.

    Blessings,
    Deanna

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  9. Frank and I can relate...Franks mom did not know him the last two years of his life. He never stopped visiting her on a regular basis but I could see the hurt in his eyes when he came home. Hugs...Dee

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  10. It's a road I've not walked yet, but I hope I meet it with as much tenderness and love as you have, Rebecca. Still praying God will give you strength.

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  11. I can only imagine how difficult it is to walk this path… Praying for you. Sending my love and support. {{{HUGS}}} ~ Joanie

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)