KINDRED SPIRITS

Hospice received a referral today for “Walter” and “Millie”.  Walter and Millie are both in their nineties and live together in a Memory Care unit.  They have been married for over sixty years and have three children.  Their daughter, “Theresa”, lives nearby and visits her parents every other day. 

Both Walter and Millie have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Hearing their story amazed the hospice nurse and I.  So many parallels.  Alzheimer’s is such a cruel disease as one can live with it for so many years.  One loses a loved one long before they die.  

Being in the Memory Care unit, I so admire and respect the workers there.  Caregivers so work from their hearts.  To me, I have no doubt that caregivers are, from deep inside, truly angels,

KINDRED SPIRITS 

 

When they walked down the aisle

on their wedding day 63 years ago,

did either of them ever think,

“We will forever be kindred spirits”.

 

He was an engineer by trade

while she stayed home to raise their kids.

When he retired, they purchased 30 acres,

to grow and eat the best apples around.

 

They have had long and fulfilling lives,

both living over ninety years.

The past ten years have been tough though,

as both have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

 

They now live together in a Memory Care unit.

He, with garbled speech, she; a poor historian.

They both are slowly becoming weaker.

She uses a walker, while he needs his wheelchair.

 

Both are sleeping more and eating less.

Not surprisingly; each are losing weight.

She now doesn’t like to get out of bed;

while he will sleep in until noon.

 

They don’t talk about their dependence;

they don’t express their hurt; their pain,

but how much do they understand?

How much do they really know?

 

Likely more than most of us realize;

as not too long ago, their daughter shared,

“They turned to each other and both said,

“I want it to be over.  I am so ready to die.”

                    Indisputably, kindred spirits.