The Fragile Mind

I went to visit a friend yesterday who I have known for over 30 years. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years ago but I have only recently been exposed to its 'web-like fingers' in her mind. She and her husband kept this information to themselves for a few years and did so by 'removing their presence' from our lives. We thought they did not want our company but we were wrong. I do wish they had shared this with us earlier but ... 'it is, what it is'. Her husband died a few years ago and her son gave us the 'bad news' last year. We have continued to be in contact with her and recently she was moved to a care facility for her own safety. She is not happy about this move although she does not know how to change the situation. It is sad in 'so many ways' but for me (and this is selfish) because I had always thought we would be friends and 'coffee' more often, especially after her husband died. How disappointing it is to have a one-sided friendship now. Oh, she is more than willing to go with me in the car to have coffee. She just wants to 'get out in the fresh air' she says. She misses that. She misses doing what she wants to do, when she wants to do it. She realizes she is a 'captive' in her situation but can't quite put her finger on how.  I try to keep the conversation on the lighter side and away from 'where she is living' and more about what we used to do and where she grew up and stories about her mom and dad. This seems to be her more common recollections and she loves to share her 'same' stories and laugh. I laugh with her.

We just never know what the next day is going to bring us, do we? She often recites how she turned over in bed to find her husband, cold to the touch. I guess that would cause anyone to become 'fragile'. With all the memories that are 'leaving' her mind, that one stays vivid!

Life is fragile and we are simply walking through it. Are we alone in all of this? I don't believe so. I hope that we all take the time to investigate 'the here and now' AND the 'yet to come' to it's fullest meaning.
Psalm 18:31
For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?