An Alzheimer's Love Story...

Throughout History "LOVE" seems to be what we all crave and what has kept the world going round. No matter what or whom you believe in it seems, it's Love that makes our Hearts sing, flutter and hurt.

On a shelf at the entrance to his room, he had placed his Photograph, as most residents did . His room was at the end of the hallway on the first floor and so he did the walking that was so necessary to get him to his meals and to the social events the home provided. Although being afflicted not only with Dementia he also suffered from Parkinson's disease as well as Vertigo so the use of a walker was the only way he could slowly and methodically reach his destinations.
His knowledge of Airplanes was well established. He had been a Jet Pilot in his younger days as well as a fighter pilot for the Air Force during the war and a handsome Gentleman to say the least.

On the shelf at the entrance of her room she had placed a plague with her name on it, a small figurine of a cat and a vase of plastic flowers. Her room was on the second floor, located in the middle of the hallway and near the laundry-room . She really was physically quite able and a fast walker, using the stairs each trip she made to her meals and the social events. Dementia was what she suffered from, along with denial she was never to let go of.

The assigned table they were used to sitting at and enjoying their meals was switched one day ; which is how they actually met and then the romance began. Age is of no signifigance to many people and this was no different.

He was a loud spoken gentleman and she a quiet small lady, hard of hearing and so at first silence from her was a mystery to him. Introducing themselves and enjoying some small chatter this first meal of many to come, was enjoyed . Being the gentleman that he was he said, "I'll be looking for you tomorrow at breakfast" , she shyly smiled her acceptance.

Upon awakening this morning, she had this fluttering in her stomach and was curious as to the reason why? Finding herself searching through her clothes for a nicer dress to wear, double checking her hair and vigorously brushing her teeth she seemed anxious to go have breakfast. In the hurried frame of mind she was in , it went un-noticed that she had put two different color shoes on her feet ( the styles were identical, sales are such a bargain ).

Once satisfied with how she looked she grabbed her purse and locked her door and left to go eat in the dining-room. When she arrived it was empty, no one was even there, and usually it was buzzing with people. Servers, cooks running here and there and her friends all chatting. Nurse's passing out meds, wheelchairs and walkers all parked near their owner's. Confusion rapidly entered her mind and she turned in a hurry to go back to her room. As if in a dream, lost in space or had she imagined all this.

At this juncture, in walks a hungover bartender , also known as the breakfast chef for the community, he directs her to her room, and as she catches a wisp of his breath it flashes her back to the memories of her alcoholic first husband.

Arriving back at the door to her room and reaching in her purse to locate the keys (which actually were worn on her wrist on a spiral type elastic bracelet), she realized it was like 3 a.m. and it was too early for breakfast because everyone was still sleeping.

"Oh well, since I am awake and dressed" she thought to herself, "I might as well just sit here and watch the sun come up". Her room faced the Mountains and the lush front yard of the Facility and she enjoyed watching the people and the birds and the world coming to life as she sat there.

RING...RING...! ! ! the phone startled her from the sleep she had drifted into, and as she reached for it, she dropped her purse on the floor , it fell open and emptied the contents onto the floor. "Hello" she quietly said. "Hi , and how is my lovely lady this fine morning?" was what she heard. " "Oh dear you must have the wrong number" she replied, hanging the receiver back in it's cradle.

Slowly and with a definate purpose he walked the long hallway from his room, passed the dining room, now buzzing with excitement, entered the elevator and walked the hallway to her room. He stopped for a bit , straightened his hair, took a deep breath and placed a mint in his mouth before knocking on her door. Realizing she was hard of hearing he knocked louder to make sure she could hear the sound. Slowly she opened the door , just a crack to see who was there and when she saw him a big smile came to her face. "Are you hungry as I am" he questioned. "And may I escort you to the dining room" he asked. Plumply she accepted the invitation.

Opening the door wider she invited him in, and explained that she had spilled her purse and would he mind waiting while she picked up the mess. In the process of all this she began to realize why she had felt the way she did this morning. They were about to walk out the door when he asked " do you know you have two different color shoes on?" Looking down she began her girlish type laugh and they both got the giggles. Turning around to go change her shoes they faced each other and hesitated, just a moment, and a breathless chill ran through her. "Even in a less-than-accurate recounting, there may be a revelation about how they are feeling"
He offered her his arm and together they strolled down the halls to enjoy their breakfast .