Comments on: Lights Will Guide You Home http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/14/lights-will-guide-you-home/ tonight we drink to youth. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:01:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: The Things We Carry http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/14/lights-will-guide-you-home/comment-page-1/#comment-6464 The Things We Carry Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:19:56 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.com/?p=1397#comment-6464 [...] how many times I try to tell myself otherwise — it’s no wonder. Why do we remember and how do we forget? If a lifetime is made up of a thousand days, hours, minutes, and moments, how do certain memories [...] [...] how many times I try to tell myself otherwise — it’s no wonder. Why do we remember and how do we forget? If a lifetime is made up of a thousand days, hours, minutes, and moments, how do certain memories [...]

]]> By: Finding Courage in the Everyday http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/14/lights-will-guide-you-home/comment-page-1/#comment-5776 Finding Courage in the Everyday Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:43:58 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.com/?p=1397#comment-5776 [...] It’s visiting a grandmother in the nursing home, knowing she won’t be the same person whose memory is held dear. It’s the love of a family and taking care of those closest to [...] [...] It’s visiting a grandmother in the nursing home, knowing she won’t be the same person whose memory is held dear. It’s the love of a family and taking care of those closest to [...]

]]> By: twenty(or)something » Blog Archive » Letting Go of Yesterday http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/14/lights-will-guide-you-home/comment-page-1/#comment-5465 twenty(or)something » Blog Archive » Letting Go of Yesterday Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:10:15 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.com/?p=1397#comment-5465 [...] begun to learn, you have to move on. Sometimes, when faced with losses – no matter what kind, no matter when it happens, and no matter the depth of your grief – it’s hard to reconcile, it takes time. But that [...] [...] begun to learn, you have to move on. Sometimes, when faced with losses – no matter what kind, no matter when it happens, and no matter the depth of your grief – it’s hard to reconcile, it takes time. But that [...]

]]> By: Susan Pogorzelski - admin http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/14/lights-will-guide-you-home/comment-page-1/#comment-3359 Susan Pogorzelski - admin Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:30:35 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.com/?p=1397#comment-3359 Sam: I don't even know where to begin, to be honest. This post came out of the blue for me, but I think it's been something I've needed to write about for a very, very long time. While I'm sorry that you can relate, I'm also selfishly really glad for that -- because it helps to have someone who understands completely what it's like. I think most people know what it feels like to see another person change and fade away and maybe even suffer -- through dementia, through illness...And you're absolutely right in that it doesn't just affect that person, but that spreads to everyone around them as well. I think that's the hardest part -- the heartache...it's contagious. And maybe, sometimes, there's no cure. And it's just as hard to watch others struggle with what's going on as it is to fight to understand it yourself. Like I said, you want to protect everyone, but you can't. Life, as beautiful as it is, can be shaded in harsh realities. My grandmother lived a long and beautiful life, which I think made it easier in the end for everyone to reconcile with her loss. Easier, but never easy. Sam, I meant for this to be a comment to thank you so much for your understanding and support, but it turned into something else entirely! Thank you. I believe in kindred spirits and I absolutely count you as one of them. Thank you for your friendship, thank you for being there, and thank you for your understanding. I know you get it. And that means everything. Sam: I don’t even know where to begin, to be honest. This post came out of the blue for me, but I think it’s been something I’ve needed to write about for a very, very long time. While I’m sorry that you can relate, I’m also selfishly really glad for that — because it helps to have someone who understands completely what it’s like.

I think most people know what it feels like to see another person change and fade away and maybe even suffer — through dementia, through illness…And you’re absolutely right in that it doesn’t just affect that person, but that spreads to everyone around them as well. I think that’s the hardest part — the heartache…it’s contagious. And maybe, sometimes, there’s no cure. And it’s just as hard to watch others struggle with what’s going on as it is to fight to understand it yourself. Like I said, you want to protect everyone, but you can’t.

Life, as beautiful as it is, can be shaded in harsh realities. My grandmother lived a long and beautiful life, which I think made it easier in the end for everyone to reconcile with her loss. Easier, but never easy.

Sam, I meant for this to be a comment to thank you so much for your understanding and support, but it turned into something else entirely! Thank you. I believe in kindred spirits and I absolutely count you as one of them. Thank you for your friendship, thank you for being there, and thank you for your understanding. I know you get it. And that means everything.

]]> By: Sam http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/14/lights-will-guide-you-home/comment-page-1/#comment-3347 Sam Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:14:39 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.com/?p=1397#comment-3347 Susan, this is so beautiful, and I can totally relate. My grandma suffered from dementia, and though I was a little older when she got sick, I witnessed the same progression...I watched her fade away. I think the best thing we can do in tough situations is learn from them, and the lesson you shared is an incredibly powerful one: "People aren’t invincible. And no matter how hard you try to protect them, life and age happens." I could honestly write for hours on this subject, but I think that's better reserved for a one-on-one conversation. Just know that you're not alone. Alzheimer's doesn't just affect the one who is suffering from it, it also deeply affects that person's loved ones and it's hard to understand unless you've gone through it yourself. I understand. Wonderful post! Susan, this is so beautiful, and I can totally relate. My grandma suffered from dementia, and though I was a little older when she got sick, I witnessed the same progression…I watched her fade away. I think the best thing we can do in tough situations is learn from them, and the lesson you shared is an incredibly powerful one: “People aren’t invincible. And no matter how hard you try to protect them, life and age happens.”

I could honestly write for hours on this subject, but I think that’s better reserved for a one-on-one conversation. Just know that you’re not alone. Alzheimer’s doesn’t just affect the one who is suffering from it, it also deeply affects that person’s loved ones and it’s hard to understand unless you’ve gone through it yourself. I understand. Wonderful post!

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