A NIGHTMARE

"Rita", eighty six, has been residing in a nursing home for almost six years. She suffers from Alzheimer's Disease. Two weeks ago she was able to walk around using her walker. Rita's daughter, "Jennie", was visiting daily to feed mom lunch. Rita has had a rapid decline these past two weeks to where now she is unresponsive and in a deep sleep.

This family has had multiple losses over the past eighteen months. In addition, just last week, Jennie found out that her husband has cancer. Jennie is torn between being with her mom while being supportive to her husband.

Jennie is able to use humor to cope. It is what gets her through each day. Whenever I hear about someone with so many stressors in such a short period of time, it always makes me ask, "Why?" There really is no logical answer. Rita is not being punished. There is nothing she has done to make this happen. It is just so random.

Death or loss any time of the year is so difficult, but somehow it all seems a bit sadder during this time of year; the Christmas holiday season. We are all logical beings and want a logical answer. I know there is no answer but, someday, I still would like to know.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you. Never forget to count all of your blessings.


A NIGHTMARE　

These past eighteen months
have been a nightmare for her.
She lost her father, her sister,
her mother-in-law and one close friend.

Now, her mother is imminent
after a rapid two week decline.
She likely has only hours to days.
It is happening way too fast.

She's been visiting mom daily for weeks.
She comes over to feed her lunch.
Now mom is not eating much at all.
Her eyes are closed; she is in a deep sleep.

She feels guilty not being home with her husband.
They were just told he has cancer.
She is such a strong advocate for mom,
but who is going to be there for her?

These cases always bring up the same questions to me.
Questions with no answer at all.
Why is so much happening to her?
What is this nightmare
                            all about?

I would truly love to know
what to answer with certainty
when asked such a simple question
But the hardest part of all is
          likely,
                   there is no answer.