With Thanks

What a wonderful day. Sunday. The service this morning was excellent. Great reminders of the season we are in and of the reason for the season - Jesus. Our service was old fashioned in one sense - the hymns - and so techno in another - various media - videos - played to stimulate our senses - visual, audio and the lighting of so many candles was sensory. Truly amazing.

John and I went for lunch together - just us - which is so amazing - and though we saw many we knew - we still sat together - just the two of us. How I relish those times. I like people too but  today was special.

Later I went to pick up my friend Isla who I have not seen for over a month - since I was out of town and then getting back into things on my return. She did not know me but was willing to come with me. By the time we were in the car - she did have recollections of me and said so. We have been friends for 35 years. It is so strange to have her not remember me. What a terrible disease this Alzhimer's! I took her this afternoon to our Children's Christmas program. I thought she would enjoy the kids as she was a school teacher for over 40 years. She taught up to grade 6 but mostly grades 1-3. She was delighted. I am not sure what she was expecting. Even I was prepared for old Christmas carols but the drama and new songs were totally different than what I expected. I still enjoyed it. She said she did too. She seemed dazed sometimes but other times she laughed. She mostly enjoyed turning around to watch the little 10 month old who sat behind her who squealed with glee to the music. She loves watching the little children. As we left the auditorium, she put out a hand to another little boy about 3 who was looking up at her. She had on a big smile for him personally. It was really touching.

After the production we went to Tim Horton's for coffee. We indulged with a Candy Cane donut and a coffee. She really concentrates on eating it and drinking it up fast. Not much conversation with her during this time. I'm not sure if this is related to the disease or not. Maybe she just likes her donuts!

On our way home, she was telling me how she thanked me 'for this'. I asked her what 'this' meant. She said "just taking me out'. I told her 'that's what friends do for each other'. I definitely know that I would appreciate a friend picking me up and getting me 'away' from things for awhile. She realized she can't drive anymore and gets confused. She misses her husband and the old way of life. It will never be the same again.

Home now with my hubby and relaxing, I give thanks for all my blessings. You never know what the morrow brings. May I have friends who would do the same for me.