This thread is inspired by a dear from of mine that is only 57 yrs old that has Dementia. She was diagnosed about 2 1/2 years ago. She started out being my co-worker and we lived about 2 miles from each other. We became very close over a couple years. She was abused by her ex-husband and shortly after the divorce started going through she was diagnosed. She moved away to live with a younger sister but her sister got breast cancer. My friend had to move back here and now she is living close to her 79 year old mother. Every time I speak to her on the phone she seems worse. Today when we spoke she told me that she can no longer read. She had to stop driving when she moved back here about a year ago.
It is so sad and heart breaking to hear her like this. She struggles to communicate and get her words out.
So- I spent my long drive home today thinking about the little things I take for granted every day. Simple things like reading and driving.





maybe we should all stop to think about the little things we take for granted.

The simple pleasures in life are indeed something we take for granted.

karmatornado said:

It is usually the little things that make the biggest difference in our lives too.
My list of little things I take for granted is so long

Indeed. It's all in the little things. The perceived big things grab the attention in our lives and we weigh them with such importance, but those little things determine our lives, our happiness, how content we are, how comfortable mentally, physically and spiritually on a day to day level, those days adding up to make our life in general. We could spend hours and hours in our lives fretting over jobs, promotions, houses, cars, relationships but I doubt for example when walking down the street we ever give even a second's thought for our legs carrying us where we want to go.

Fauxie said:

well said!

I've known some people who had a close brush with death and they look at life differently.

luv4u said:

Yes I am sure that puts many things into perspective..

luv4u said:

Fuck you world, ha ha, I am INVINCIBLE!!!!




or was that not what you meant?

Some days it is just the little things that make me smile and help me get through the day..

IrresistibleB1tch said:

Thanks IB

I just hope the meds they started her on help to slow her progression.

Dementia is such a heartbreaking disease. My Dad had early onset Alzheimers and it was very difficult. People think you have to be old to get these diseases but it's fairly common for people to even have it in their 30's.
Your friend is lucky to have you in her life.


This reminds me of the saying:
The past is gone
The future isn't here yet
All we have is right now
That's why it's called The Present.

shellyevon said:

awww thanks you
Sorry to hear about your dad.
No- my friend is lucky to have her sister and her mom. She has a great family - which gives me some comfort. She never had any children- like me so she has to rely on her sister, brother and mom. I worry what will happen when her mom is gone.
I just wish I had noticed that was what was happening to her sooner.
I spent every day at work with her...why didn't I know?

I also did not know she was being verbally and mentally abused at homw which I am sure did not help the disease.
I hate that there is no way to make her better- all we can do now is try to keep her from getting worse.

luv4u said:

Right after the birth of JT ... I flatlined 3 times in 6 -10 minutes

It did make me look at life much differently

We all take some things for granted ...

Always stop to smell the roses

Mach said:

i take so much for granted

maybe we are programmed or lazy or

its easier to not think to hard about what we would dread losing

for it would hurt to just think about it

no excuse

i take way too much for granted



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[Edited 3/4/07 14:20pm]

shausler said: