Why does it have to be?

Yesterday was a hard day. It was very emotional although I didn't allow myself to cry. I needed to be strong. I needed my kids to see that everything was ok even though I didn't feel that myself. I had to constantly hold back tears and it was exhausting.
I held back tears when we walked into the nursing home and saw Mary (Ty's sister) crying.
I had to hold back tears when I saw his sunken face and weak body.
I held back tears when I saw his dirty clothes.
I held back tears when Tyler and Mary got him into clean clothes and brushed his hair and teeth and he thanked them for it.
I held back tears when he said to Tyler "Hey, I remember you, your my best friend".
I held back tears when he started feeling better and was smiling nonstop.

We visited for nearly four hours. I'm glad we were there.

Alzheimer's is a nasty disease. Tylers Dad was put into a nursing home for reasons nobody could control. Merilyn had to put Jim in the home while she took care of some very important business in Cedar City. Jim is at a stage where he can't walk on his own without stumbling. He has had many falls. He can't make it up the stairs to his bedroom. Merilyn can't do it on her own anymore and we will pitch in to help whenever/wherever needed. I know she wants to get him back home and is working towards that.

At our visit yesterday, I took an enormous amount of pictures. I couldn't help myself. I didn't want to miss anything. I started taking pictures about an hour after we were there. He ate lunch and got cleaned up and was feeling much, much better. In the photo's he is holding a doll. It has become his security blanket. He loves and protects that baby. I think it is so sweet. I narrowed the pictures down some but decided they were all to special not to include.








I think these next pictures are priceless!





How precious are these pictures. I couldn't believe it when I was looking at the pictures on my camera. Shayna took these. She captured something very special.


Family photo with Dad/Grandpa

Father and Son


This is when Jim said "Hey, I know you, your my best friend" and shook Ty's hand.


Looking through the Family book. We asked him if he knew anybody. He didn't say anything but when Mary said Chamea's name he perked up and said "oh".


He sure loves his baby. It shows what a tender, caring Dad he was/is.

Giving kisses



Going for a walk. He had been sitting in the chair the whole time we were there. We all thought it would be a good idea to get him up and moving.


He loved the mirror.

Towards the end we had a hard time getting him to focus on where we needed to go. He did better when Shayna lead the way. He would follow her for a little bit, but he got too tired. I ended up running back to get his wheelchair so he could sit but I think the excersize was good for him and we all got to have a little laugh.....even Jim!

Thank you Dad/Grandpa for all the memories. We look forward to many more!