A New Normal

Wow, it has been a while since my last post. Dad got seriously ill in May, and the rest of the year has been nothing but a whirlwind. Dad was diagnosed with Severe Dementia with Sundowners Syndrome and was sent to live with my sister Terri. Life as we knew it was to never be the same...not for us, not for dad. Without reliving the past 7 months, let's just say dad slipped in and out of our reality and pretty much settled into his own reality, of which much of it was new every morning. During this time, I learned a lot about my father, some of it funny, some of it very disturbing. During this time, I saw forgiveness given and accepted, past hurts healed, and a few memories made. And during this time, caring for a man who no longer knew any of us or himself for that matter, created a new normal for my family...a new normal for 7 months until dad completely slipped away from us...2 weeks before his death on September 20, 2009.

Up until now this blog was used to capture a few special moments, pass around a few creative lines, and to share some laughter...all in hopes of receiving a few witty words in return. Things have changed now, and I have a new normal. This blog will no longer be used for that, but rather as an escape for me...a place of therapy...as I meet with Grief face-to-face. This will be to Sam', from Sam', as I process the many phases of grieving. This will be a safe place for me to vent my thoughts, cry, throw fits...pretty much do whatever I need to do to get myself to where I hope to be one day...celebrating a new, healthy normalcy for myself.