IMO the duty of an artist is to make the reader (or viewer or listener) feel. Feel something. You accomplished this in so few words. Almost a poem. Well written and heartfelt. Thank you for lifting us with a beautiful story.
Your new grammar here, Jim, rings just right: "The water ran swift and smooth..." "The sun set quickly, surprising him cold." "....tears breaking childlike..". Grandpa is still in there and the child knows it. So very touching. You write with such sensitivity. ( For a grumpy old man.)
Thank you, Sharron. Yeah, I like to whip my adverbs into submission. I'm glad you were touched by this story. Now I'll get back to being grumpy. Cheers, my friend!
That is so beautiful. I guess it's because my mother-in-law had dementia that I find myself welling up. Absolutely beautiful And the way you brought it out, so slow, so easy to understand. This is a great story, Jim. I'd recommend it to anyone who's been there. Bravo!
I was telling my wife about your story this morning. I said it was obvious the writer knew something about it, and she smiled. She said she was most grateful for the fact that she was able to handle it with a sense of humour and make her mother's last days enjoyable for her. And that's the secret -- as if there was a secret to it. You can't allow yourself to get frustrated by it. Just smile and make them as comfortable with themselves as you can. It's a heart-breaking disease, but you have to realize it's more heart-breaking to the ones left to care for them, than it is to them. It's coming to that realization that's the hard part though -- the watching them deteriorate right in front of your eyes. You handled it with such grace and love.
Yes, I experienced it with my mother and one of my best friends. I'm sorry for what you and your wife went through. I like your attitude about it; humor and dignity. Thank you again, my friend.
Well, Jim, you touched me again with this one. My father was an avid fisherman who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers at age 54. He never realized his dream of having the freedom to fish whenever he wanted in retirement. He wandered off several times. Upon reading this story, I wonder if he was searching for a familiar creek or pond. You capture the details and emotions associated with the tragedy of dementia with such loving detail, from the perspective of both the demented and the caregivers. Quite remarkable writing that provokes an outpouring of response from your readers.
Thanks, K.C. That's so sad about your dad. Since posting this one, I've heard many similar stories.
My mom was in the middle stages of dementia when she passed away from a stroke, mercifully I guess. Now, every time I walk into a room and forget why I came there, I wonder about myself but I've always been the preoccupied type. I appreciate your very thoughtful comments.
I’m sorry your mom had dementia. The stroke saved her from the grueling end game for dementia when it affects organs other than the brain.
My father was diagnosed when I was 28. Since then, like you, I’ve wondered about any episode of absentmindedness or brain freeze. I’m often preoccupied, too. I am in my seventies now and don’t worry when I’m unable to recall a name or word. They come to me once I have moved on to something else. I chalk it up to old age. I do worry for my son: One grandfather had Alzheimer’s and the other had Parkinson’s.
I just happen by. Found you in Notes. Truthfully I seldom ‘follow’ in, but the image reminded me of one of my favorite campsites.
I just wanted to tell you I found so much beauty in your poignant words. I would like to think that just maybe the grandfather really did remember, and he is sharing the experience with himself. It is a nice thought , that no one will ever know the answer to.
Thank you Lor. Yes, it’s hard to know what the person remembers but you can often sense a certain frustration within them, dealing with scraps and shreds of their vanishing consciousness.
I've watched this happen to my own grandfather, and now I'm crying. This is a beautiful piece full to the brim with feeling, yet delicate. Loved every word.
Thanks Jim. This reminds me of a time my father, an avid fisherman, said to me that he knew he should know my name, but just couldn't grasp it. That was hard, knowing he knew. When he died, we did a ceremony on a river at his favorite fishing hole. Nicely done, friend.
Brilliant writing Jim. Strong, deep and emotional. My respect level went up another notch for you and I thought it was already maxed out. Thanks for sharing. - Jim
IMO the duty of an artist is to make the reader (or viewer or listener) feel. Feel something. You accomplished this in so few words. Almost a poem. Well written and heartfelt. Thank you for lifting us with a beautiful story.
I wanted to say the same thing, but Helen you have said it far better than I could have!
Incredible writing, Jim.
Thank you Nathan. I always appreciate your comments.
Poem like indeed.
Thank you C.M. For the kind comment.
Thank you, Helen. It certainly was heartfelt and I'm glad that shone through.
Your new grammar here, Jim, rings just right: "The water ran swift and smooth..." "The sun set quickly, surprising him cold." "....tears breaking childlike..". Grandpa is still in there and the child knows it. So very touching. You write with such sensitivity. ( For a grumpy old man.)
Thank you, Sharron. Yeah, I like to whip my adverbs into submission. I'm glad you were touched by this story. Now I'll get back to being grumpy. Cheers, my friend!
That is so beautiful. I guess it's because my mother-in-law had dementia that I find myself welling up. Absolutely beautiful And the way you brought it out, so slow, so easy to understand. This is a great story, Jim. I'd recommend it to anyone who's been there. Bravo!
Thank you ,Ben. I have witnessed people that I loved slowly fade away like this and it's very sad.
I was telling my wife about your story this morning. I said it was obvious the writer knew something about it, and she smiled. She said she was most grateful for the fact that she was able to handle it with a sense of humour and make her mother's last days enjoyable for her. And that's the secret -- as if there was a secret to it. You can't allow yourself to get frustrated by it. Just smile and make them as comfortable with themselves as you can. It's a heart-breaking disease, but you have to realize it's more heart-breaking to the ones left to care for them, than it is to them. It's coming to that realization that's the hard part though -- the watching them deteriorate right in front of your eyes. You handled it with such grace and love.
Yes, I experienced it with my mother and one of my best friends. I'm sorry for what you and your wife went through. I like your attitude about it; humor and dignity. Thank you again, my friend.
Well, Jim, you touched me again with this one. My father was an avid fisherman who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers at age 54. He never realized his dream of having the freedom to fish whenever he wanted in retirement. He wandered off several times. Upon reading this story, I wonder if he was searching for a familiar creek or pond. You capture the details and emotions associated with the tragedy of dementia with such loving detail, from the perspective of both the demented and the caregivers. Quite remarkable writing that provokes an outpouring of response from your readers.
Thanks, K.C. That's so sad about your dad. Since posting this one, I've heard many similar stories.
My mom was in the middle stages of dementia when she passed away from a stroke, mercifully I guess. Now, every time I walk into a room and forget why I came there, I wonder about myself but I've always been the preoccupied type. I appreciate your very thoughtful comments.
I’m sorry your mom had dementia. The stroke saved her from the grueling end game for dementia when it affects organs other than the brain.
My father was diagnosed when I was 28. Since then, like you, I’ve wondered about any episode of absentmindedness or brain freeze. I’m often preoccupied, too. I am in my seventies now and don’t worry when I’m unable to recall a name or word. They come to me once I have moved on to something else. I chalk it up to old age. I do worry for my son: One grandfather had Alzheimer’s and the other had Parkinson’s.
I look forward to reading more of your work.
You're like me--worried more about you son than yourself. Says a lot about the old man. Cheers K.C.
Strong writing, Jim.
I particularly liked this sentence: "Perhaps home had always been the shelter of a tall fir beside a bend in a stream."
Thank you Alexander. Glad to have you along.
I just happen by. Found you in Notes. Truthfully I seldom ‘follow’ in, but the image reminded me of one of my favorite campsites.
I just wanted to tell you I found so much beauty in your poignant words. I would like to think that just maybe the grandfather really did remember, and he is sharing the experience with himself. It is a nice thought , that no one will ever know the answer to.
Thank you Lor. Yes, it’s hard to know what the person remembers but you can often sense a certain frustration within them, dealing with scraps and shreds of their vanishing consciousness.
That's a good one
Thank you Jimmy. I’m really happy you checked it out and took the time to comment.
What a touching story, Jim. And the way you wrote it captivated me from start to finish. Beautiful all around!
Thank you so much for the kind comment, Justin. And also for the re-stack. Much appreciated, my friend.
I've watched this happen to my own grandfather, and now I'm crying. This is a beautiful piece full to the brim with feeling, yet delicate. Loved every word.
Thank you, Liz. Yes it’s so sad to witness. I appreciate your wonderful comment.
Well done capturing a sense of peace and calm in the storm of dementia.
Thanks, C.M. I was looking for the boy to be the calming influence.
Wow. Grandpa is travelling through time, crossing ages in a moment, the things important to him never really forgotten. So beautiful, Jim.
Thank you so much, Clara. I appreciate the kind comment.
Lovely story. The old man lost in memories, reliving them, and the real sounding like memories.
Thank you Virginia. Yes, everything becomes the present..
Thanks Jim. This reminds me of a time my father, an avid fisherman, said to me that he knew he should know my name, but just couldn't grasp it. That was hard, knowing he knew. When he died, we did a ceremony on a river at his favorite fishing hole. Nicely done, friend.
That must have been heartbreaking for you, Victor. Thank you for sharing that experience and for your kind comment, brother.
Beautiful.
Thank you so much.
Brilliant writing Jim. Strong, deep and emotional. My respect level went up another notch for you and I thought it was already maxed out. Thanks for sharing. - Jim
Thank you, Jim. That means a lot to me.
Poignant, so moving
Thank you, Barrie. I'm glad it inspired some feelings.