My Dad's father had Alzheimer's Disease for a long time before he passed away. I remember being pregnant with my second child at his funeral. In some ways, it seems like a long time ago. I still miss him. At the end of my grandfather's life, he did not recognize any of us. I would greet him with a "Hi, Grandpa" and he would smile and give me a thumb's up, but I knew he had no idea who I was.
His decline was gradual - and sometimes very difficult to watch. There was one occasion at church when I could visably see his frustration at not being able to work his way through a sentence. It wasn't long after that he stopped coming to church. He couldn't hold a normal conversation with people and he was aware of it - and embarrassed by it. I thought that had to be the most frustrating thing to experience. I don't mean the problem of wanting to communicate and not being able to do so, but rather, knowing you USED to be able to communicate well and being fully aware of the fact that you are losing the ability to do so.
The whole process of Alzheimer's disease taking over my grandpa's brain was a surprisingly slow one. He was put on an experimental medication as a part of a "trail" of the drug and that did seem to help. We knew he was on the medication instead of the placebo by the side effects. For awhile, the spiral downward slowed.
My Dad, his brother and their two wives did a fantastic job of taking care of grandpa. Sometimes, grandpa would do things that made someone mad. Other times, he would do something that scared someone. Throughout all of it, my grandpa maintained his desire to work outdoors. That was one thing he never forgot. He loved working outside.
One year, we all went fishing at Tablerock Lake - a family "tradition" since my childhood. We took grandpa with us as it would be unthinkable to leave him with someone else. Fishing was as much a part of my grandpa as breathing. He loved it. I have some wonderful memories of running trot lines, fishing before breakfast and spending long days in the sun on the lake. At one point, I saw grandpa moving things around in his suitcase. He did it for what seemed like a very long time. I asked my Dad what he was doing and he responded that grandpa was sorting his socks. I raised an eyebrow questioningly and my Dad told me that it was related to the Alzheimer's disease and grandpa's deterioration.
When my grandpa passed away, I put together a posterboard of pictures of his life. It was my way of recognizing the man I knew and the memories I would always cherish. I enjoyed having him for a grandfather. I know that everyone has to die of something, but there is something especially heartwrenching about watching it happen a little at a time over a span of years. Alzheimer's disease is cruel that way.
Each year, for my Dad's birthday, I contribute a small donation to the Alzheimer's Association in my grandpa's name. Interestingly, my Dad and his Dad shared the same birthday. It isn't a symbolic gesture - that small donation. I truly hope it helps pave the way for a cure.
If you want to learn more about Alzheimer's, I want to provide a few links:
Warning signs of Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Information
__________________________________________
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
42 LIFE LESSONS
Adapted from Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH with some additions.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. He gets angry, too.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
12. Never pass up an opportunity to do something nice for someone else.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age or money.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Do all things in moderation.
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time lessens the pain of almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Growing old beats the alternative --- dying young.
36. Your children get only one childhood.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
40. Envy wastes time. You already have all you need.
41. Be generous with your hugs.
42. Share not only what you have, but who you are (with others).
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. He gets angry, too.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
12. Never pass up an opportunity to do something nice for someone else.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age or money.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Do all things in moderation.
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time lessens the pain of almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Growing old beats the alternative --- dying young.
36. Your children get only one childhood.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
40. Envy wastes time. You already have all you need.
41. Be generous with your hugs.
42. Share not only what you have, but who you are (with others).
Monday, March 1, 2010
Job Interview Tips
Here are some job interview tips to help you secure your next job.
An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.
Preparation:
Learn about the organization.
Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
Review your qualifications for the job.
Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job.
Be ready to answer broad questions, such as "Why should I hire you?" "Why do you want this job?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
Practice an interview with a friend or relative.
Personal appearance:
Be well groomed.
Dress appropriately.
Do not chew gum or smoke.
The interview:
Be early.
Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
Use good manners with everyone you meet.
Relax and answer each question concisely.
Use proper English—avoid slang.
Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don't slouch.
Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site.
Also avoid asking questions about salaryand benefits unless a job offer is made.
Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands.
Send a short thank you note following the interview.
Information to bring to an interview:
Social Security card.
Government-issued identification (driver's license).
Resume or application. Although not all employers require a resume, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training, and previous employment.
References. Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references.
Transcripts. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco20045.htm (Bureau of Labor Statistics website)
An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.
Preparation:
Learn about the organization.
Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
Review your qualifications for the job.
Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job.
Be ready to answer broad questions, such as "Why should I hire you?" "Why do you want this job?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
Practice an interview with a friend or relative.
Personal appearance:
Be well groomed.
Dress appropriately.
Do not chew gum or smoke.
The interview:
Be early.
Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
Use good manners with everyone you meet.
Relax and answer each question concisely.
Use proper English—avoid slang.
Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don't slouch.
Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site.
Also avoid asking questions about salaryand benefits unless a job offer is made.
Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands.
Send a short thank you note following the interview.
Information to bring to an interview:
Social Security card.
Government-issued identification (driver's license).
Resume or application. Although not all employers require a resume, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training, and previous employment.
References. Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references.
Transcripts. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco20045.htm (Bureau of Labor Statistics website)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
