Pam's Memory Challenge

The Reunion

2008-08-02T18:35:00Z

I had a front seat to the memory challenge of others: the occasion, David’s 50 th High School Reunion. Twenty-eight of the forty-eight classmates were present at the home of Brenda and Johnny Stroupe for the gathering. So much to take in on this beautiful May afternoon; I could feel the friendship all around us. I watched as those standing close to me tried to remember names and faces. These were David’s classmates of 1958 and many of my friends since our marriage of forty-five years. I had people...(read more)

Meet Some of My Family

2008-07-31T16:32:00Z

Just this week our youngest son, Michael, posted a video on YouTube about some of our family. He videoed it while we were all together for Christmas 2007. Unfortunately, it is too rare when we can all get together because of where we live. Our daughter, Christina, who by the way is the “star” of the video, lives in upstate New York. Our oldest son, David Jr., lives in Maryland; At least they live close enough to each other, and do have a great sibling relationship. The “supporting actress” is Morgan...(read more)

Just A Thought

2008-07-26T21:19:00Z

"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."...(read more)

A Good "Pass Around"

2008-06-28T16:18:00Z

David and I are not usually the “pass around” type, but now and then one comes along that is worth sharing. We felt that this was one of them. Hope you enjoy the irony and humor as we did. Author unknown. “Old Age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging bottom. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror...(read more)

A Mother's Memories

2008-05-03T15:18:00Z

I admit to being dismayed when I remember the things that came out of my mouth when I was a young mother; the same threats and warnings my own mother had said to me decades earlier. I had sworn I would never say such things to my own kids, but the words came tumbling out anyway, uninvited. "If I have to stop this car, you are really gonna get it!" My own mother had made that threat to me and my sister and brother a million times. She usually said that with one hand on the steering wheel...(read more)

Sunshine

2008-03-05T21:10:00Z

Right now I feel as if I am starting something new. David and I have had our home on the market since November 2007 and I am ready to see the end of this burden of uncertainty. We live in a nice neighborhood with many amenities. We have much going for us right here. I finally talked to David with an open heart and mind. Often I am clouded with thoughts of confusion about if I can really know what is best for us or even what is best for me. Just talking over our prospects has lifted my spirits. The...(read more)

Rainy Days & Mondays

2008-02-26T23:41:00Z

It has been cloudy and rainy for five of the last six days. For me that means everything I do and all my thoughts are slower. My sense of time and place are confused. My ability to understand, speak, and remember are at question. I am uncertain of my ability to perform daily activities such as planning meals.(Thank you David for being such a support this week.) I have a Community Bible Study tomorrow; that's another opportunity for an emotionally charged event. What if I just can't keep up...(read more)

Movie Watching

2008-02-15T19:33:00Z

I can watch a movie but I can't follow the storyline. It now takes DVD's because I need to see a movie over and over to understand just what's going on. David and I recently rented "Away From Her", a story of a woman slipping deeper and deeper into Alzheimer's. I can't get this movie out of my mind. It was slow moving, and held my attention enough to repeat it. By watching movies over and over I see things I missed the first or second time around. My mind stumbles over...(read more)

Pam's First Post

2008-01-28T17:56:00Z

Last week I did an interview with StoryCorps, in partnership with National Public Radio (NPR). We were invited by the Alzheimer's Assoc, Eastern Chapter, Raleigh, NC where the interview took place. I found the experience very helpful. I recommend you look for information in your area and take part. Below is StoryCorps website: