I saw the clementine sitting out on our counter all afternoon and wondered why it was there. My husband came up from his office later and said, “Oh, I think I took that out to eat for lunch and forgot all about it.” I was chuckling over this as I went to the microwave to use it and when I opened it, therein was a partial mug of tea that I’d put in a few hours earlier to heat it up so I could finish it. Oops.
Sound familiar? These kinds of little forgettings are common to man, becoming more common as we age. It’s not like we’re really losing our minds – just having what used to be called “senior moments.” Right?
Some 25 years ago I was talking to one of my parent’s next door neighbors while I was home for a visit. She was the mother of one of my best friends growing up. We chatted easily and then she tried to tell me about something, but got stuck on a detail she couldn’t remember and faltered. There was an uncomfortable pause, and I tried to lighten the moment by saying, “You must be having a senior moment!” She looked a little stricken and explained that she’d recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I murmured my regrets for the comment and my sympathies for this difficult diagnosis. She was very kind and gracious about it.
My dad had dementia for the last 20 years of his life. It’s hard not to feel somewhat haunted by the specter of something similar happening to me. I don’t assume that because I forget why I came into a room, or because I forget putting a cup of tea in the microwave that these are signs of encroaching dementia. But I have days when I feel like I can’t focus on things as well, days when I experience some “brain fog” and it feels like dementia is lurking just around the corner.
Oh, how marvelous it is at those times to rest in the sovereignty of God! I love the words of the psalmist who says:
“Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8
And this verse from Isaiah the prophet is a comfort as well:
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2
Yes, He is my strength and my song, the One who will never forsake me.
I suppose this seems like a somewhat somber way to return to my blog after a two-week absence! We were out visiting family, attending the graduation ceremony of our youngest son and our son-in-law, as well as taking some vacation time with most of our kids. All is well.
I’ll probably delete this in the morning…unless I forget. 😉
Lynniebeemuseoday 