Acts of Love

So I ventured out today to visit a friend with Alzheimer's. She does not know me but is willing to go with me - for a walk inside or outside or just to the washroom. She's trusting. She holds my hand and looks at me with a questioning stare. I ask her if she knows me, and she always says 'no'.

Today she was more talkative than usual. She told me that she has lost her voice because she hasn't been talking to people. I told her she needs to talk more, perhaps even sing. So...we began to sing. It's funny when you need to 'pull up a song' they don't come as fast to the mind as they used to! I did remember 'Twinkle, Twinkle' and she sang along with me too. I don't think she could do it on her own but if I sang it, she sang with me. Later, we sang 'Jingle Bells' and she was quite pleased with herself as she sang along.  It was only a quick visit of about an hour plus but she did say 'thank you for coming'.  How can you not? She's a friend of 35 years. I can't see her every day but I try to go at least once a week.

When it was time for me to leave, she did not want to let go of my hand. She stood her ground and held on. I encouraged her to lead the way to the two other people who had joined our little group. She told me she didn't think she could and I replied with a positive 'yes you can'. I had to untangle myself from her which left me feeling bad for her (and me). She did turn and head down the hall. I was feeling pretty low when I left as she was looking confused and lost. The staff can't be with each of them all the time so I know she would be left alone for awhile before supper. I can only hope and pray that she was fine.  As my mood had changed and I was feeling sorry for her and a bit for me for whatever reason, I read the poster on the nearby church which read something like "An act of love does not go in vain."  I hope that's right.