All that Glitters is not Golden Dad, it's supposed to be your "golden years" a time to sit back and relax When work is done and you travel to Florida to play shuffleboard and get some sun. The "golden years" are anything but what some suggest they are When Alzheimers has taken away your ability to travel far. Your world now consumed by paperwork from years and years ago You've read them to me so many times I think each word I know Your anger at us frightens us, I know you don't understand Most days I feel like a tightly wound up rubberband I'm sorry you lost your license and ability to drive It was a hard decision made by your doctor, Dan and I But we worried about your safety and the others on the road We are trying our best to get you to places you have to go. We have so many decisions to make concerning care for you So overwhelmed with what is going to be the best to do When you call me 30 times a day most times to rant and rage Sometimes I have to take the phone off the hook because it causes me such pain And then you leave a message calling out my name And I pick up the phone to listen and talk because guilt has overcame. I can't imagine your fear when paranoia sets in When you see and hear things that are not there The constant searching for items you think were taken but really have been lost because the loss of brain cells is taking its cost on my Dad. And all that glitters now are my tears. Pamela LaBrake |