Cody was five and Carter three when I started this blog. Now Husband and I find ourselves living with two man children, ages 17 and 15.
The memories they have of my dad are smudges, more stories retold than remembered. Their memories of Husband’s dad, are more recent but less numerous. Both their grandfathers had Alzheimer’s. And both boys know that. They may not remember what was robbed from us, but they know the impact, the pain, this disease has caused our family.
They are close to my mom. They have fond memories of family trips, shared experiences, and precious one on one time with her. She recently moved down to Arizona to be closer to us and perhaps the move should have happened sooner.
But here we are, with a diagnosis for almost a week and I haven’t told them. How do I tell them? How to I get across that the moment is most important even if the moment may quickly be forgotten? That we are building memories and she is loving being in the moment.
How do I talk through what may or may not happen? How do I help them through this pain? How do I keep them from withdrawing or even being scared or nervous around her?
How?
Shoes On The Wrong Feet 
I wish I had a better answer than honesty… but it’s all I have. You’re all going to experience this together and the more they know the better prepared they’ll be. It won’t be easy, I know.
💕
Honesty with a side of tacos. We ordered tacos for Taco Tuesday and talked to them about it after dinner. Glad that conversation is behind me.
Tacos was a good idea.
❤️
I have no answers, but I hear the weight of the questions, and so will send you love as you work to discern how to answer them. ❤
Thank you. The boys are so mature. It was a good conversation but it broke my heart to see Carter’s eyes shiny with unshed tears.