When our children are little, we keep a journal of their cute sayings, their trials with language and their funny mistakes. We laugh and share these moments with grandparents and any friends who will listen.
When our parents become children because of plaque-laden Alzheimer’s, we still laugh at their funny stories. These moments aren’t as cute at age 80+, but laughter provides the necessary impetus to make it through another care-giving day.
So when I share the funny things Mom has done, I’m not mocking her or making fun of her. I hope to encourage other caregivers, to share a common bond and to keep humor as one of our coping mechanisms.
Last week, Mom lost her bobby pins. Although she is scheduled for the salon each week, she still fixes her hair every night with tiny curls held in place with bobby pins.
But now, her bobby pins are gone and Mom is convinced they were stolen. “People come into my room at night. And while I’m sleeping, they steal my bobby pins off my head.”
I don’t know why Mom thinks bobby-pin fairies need her particular bobby pins, but when things mysteriously disappear – she always believes someone has stolen them.
The issue of losing possessions and accusing others of theft appears in the Reverend G books. Follow the story and find out how Reverend G’s son deals with the disappearing / stolen angels. http://amzn.to/1rXlCyh
The bobby pin story kept us laughing for a while, until Mom lost her bridge and the teeth attached to it. In spite of an application of extra cement by the dentist, Mom managed to loosen her bridge, yank it out of her mouth and then lose it.
Again, she was convinced, “Someone stole my teeth.”
My sister asked, “Why would someone steal your teeth? What would they do with them?”
Always ready with an answer, Mom said, “They could take them to the dentist and trade my bridge for their new teeth.”
The visual flashed through my mind of an older woman carrying a plastic sack filled with stolen teeth. She walks into the dentist’s office and asks, “How much will you give me for these? I need dentures and I’m trying to save money.”
It sort of gives a new significance to the tooth fairy.
©2015 RJ Thesman – author of the Reverend G books – http://amzn.to/1rXlCyh
Thanks, Rebecca, for another poignant, vital perspective.
Thanks, Jerry. Appreciate you following along.
Very good Rebecca I have thought many times I wish had had keep a journal from my visits with my mom and father-in-law. These stories and laughter help us to remember the fun times we shared with them durning a tough time in their life.Thanks for sharingTom
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Thanks, Tom. Yes, those stories are the glue that keep memories vital. It’s so important to pass them on.
Rebecca, this is great! Thanks for the humor, it is so needed to cope with the constant forgetfulness.
Thanks, SuZan. Yes, humor is so important. One of the 7 Tips for Caregivers that I speak about is “Keep Laughing.”
Now there’s a thought!
Thanks, Sally. Keep laughing !
I enjoyed a good chuckle. Thanks. I have so far known only two people with Alzheimer’s “up close and personal”: my step dad and step mother’s mother. My favorite story avout her is that while her daughter was asleep on the couch, “Rose” got in bed with my dad! Needless to say, he was not pleased! 😜
Thanks, Debbie. Yes, it’s a common issue that Alzheimer’s patients forget about relationships and “come on” to other people – sometimes those in the same family. We just have to keep laughing !
I still have humorous moment memories from when my husband was ill. I’ve found them to be tiny, precious , connections to the time we shared.
Susan – I love your statement – “tiny, precious connections.” That’s what it’s all about !
I love your stories Rebecca. The roommate of my great grandma kept throwing her teeth at grandpa when he entered their room. Teeth and bobby pins can be quite entertaining. Thank goodness for laugh therapy!
Love the visual of teeth flying through the air. Yep – we must keep laughing!