Letter to Jean

[Grommit]

Hi there Jean.

I know you don’t remember me. Let’s face it. you don’t even remember yourself never mind this old geyser who wanders about the house, mumbling under his breath as he struggles with the daily routines of what to cook, what to wash, whether the curtains need changing and do the windows need cleaning.

After nearly 15 years of coping with Alzheimers, I am amazed at the amount of trust and faith you still have in me for continuing with your care. Ok, I know you cannot express that trust in words any more but sometimes I can see it in your eyes. Your smile when you are helped out of bed, your giggles when I find I have put your pull ups on back to front, your expression of delight when I put warm clothes on you straight out of the dryer every morning.

I don’t always get it right though and I apologise for the mistakes I make like putting your shoes on the wrong feet, twisted bra straps, inside out leggings, socks with the heels at the front and zip up cardigans where I manage to get your fingers trapped.

Sometimes I have a crisis of confidence. Am I a fit person to look after you? Would you be better off in a home? Am I reading your body language correctly when I can see there is something amiss? Do I need more professional help with things like medication dosages? Don’t worry though, the crisis never lasts long even though it slows me down for a while.

My patience gets a little strained also now that it is taking about an hour for you to be fed each meal followed by 15 minutes for a warm drink. I have now taken to reading a book at the table and am managing to get through a paragraph between each spoon full.

Buying your clothes is still hit and miss. Whether I get the right size or no, I’m sure is always touch and go. The last thing I bought was a woolly, fluffy jumper. Correct body size 12, fits body perfectly providing I tuck the sleeve ends into the top of your socks. Keeping up with fashion is beyond my scope I’m afraid. The last colourful top I bought had a scooped neckline which I could not position on you so that half your wobbly bits were not exposed.

And so we approach Christmas. I shall get the tree down from the loft, spend 2 hours trimming it up with baubles and lights, you will look at it for 10 seconds then completely ignore it for the next 3 weeks. Never mind, it’s bright and colourful and brightens up the room over the darkest nights.

Must go now and see whether the chicken stew has congealed at the bottom of the pan and write some more Christmas Cards. But before I go I must reassure you that I have no intention of leaving just yet and you will have to put up with my laughter, learned through adversity ,a while longer.

Love,
Grommit.

[chenrezig]

Grommit .... that is so beautiful ...

The meal times bit is so true, reminds me of mealtimes with Dad

Love n Hugs

Liz xx

[annie]

That is lovely Derek than999

[Rosalind]

than999

[JaneJ]

That was wonderful Derek.

You bought a lump to my throat.

thank you for sharing your lovely letter

xxxx

h###u h###u h###u

[wendy]

That is a joy to read

[wendy]

What a shame the chatroom Chillers have not replied to this.

[maureenho]

It's amazing how you keep yourself going Derek and write it all down.

4523

[debzsanderson]

Bought tears to my eyes Derek. May you both have a wonderful Christmas together xx

[wendy]

than999