Tommy's Sunrise

   It has been a hard few days.  In life, we have to face many things that we wish would not occur.  This has defined the way of life here on the Bayou for a while now.  The hardness culminated on this past Sunday morning.  I got the phone call that no one ever wants to receive.  My brother had ended his struggle.  He was free now but the pain was not over for the rest of us left here on Earth.

  For the past few years, my oldest brother has struggled, suffered and then gave into the horribleness of Alzheimer's Disease.  The first few years were not bad.  He had bouts of memory loss.  He dealt with it admirably.  Then, as the disease progressed, his personality changed from a loving, happy person to one that was fraught with confusion and frustration.  This was when it was becoming clear to him that something was not right but denial set in to the point that he refused help.  Finally, there was nothing left to do but intervene.  He had fought the valiant fight of independence but now had to submit to receiving help.  

  Once intervention came in the way of my other brother stepping in and taking over the caregiving role, things were somewhat better.  Tommy became more relaxed.  He knew he was no longer alone in his battle.  He knew that he would not become a burden on his (very ill) daughter which I think was adding to the war going on in his mind.  While the uncertainty of his day to day life was still there, the final destination was clearer.  There were days of complete oblivion and then days of perfect lucidness at the beginning.  Those clear days were soon to become far and few between.  For the past year, he became more and more dependent upon Jimmy's goodness for simple survival.  We were truly blessed to have Anna step in to aid Jimmy.  She has been a godsend to this family more than once.  

  This past week has seen the decline come with a rapidity that no one expected.  I am so blessed to be next door so I was able to see Tommy on Friday.  He was still able to be guided on short walks outside.  He and Jimmy brought my mail!  Out of the clear blue, he said "I love you." and he, by way of a gentle hand on my back, insisted I tell Jimmy the same.  But, of course!  I am so thankful that our family has always been very verbal about our love for one another but this was touching.  Jimmy whispered to me that those were the only clear words Tommy had said all day.  After they left, I went inside and had a good cry...one of thankfulness.  Later that evening, the disease took a powerful grip and the pull was too much.  Then, within hours, that grip became a strangling hold.  Tommy fought a hard battle with Jimmy and Anna by his side.  In the wee hours of Sunday morning, the disease had won the battle but Tommy had gained the prize.  On Sunday morning, his struggle left had he retained a peace like no other.  He is free.  Our hearts are broken because we can only see our loss. 

  After receiving the heartbreaking phone call from next door, I sought out my peaceful place...the Bayou.  Here, I could release my feelings.  The sun was rising over the pines and sent a glorious array of colors.  While I meandered the marsh line, I marveled at the scene set before me and knew this was a sign.  This was Tommy's Sunrise!  This was the way he looked at things.  New beginnings.  New adventures.  He had pushed so many of his students (as a teacher and coach) to reach their goals and now he had reached his.  This made me praise the morn and awakenings.

  I am asking one thing of my reading audience.  If you find it within your heart, please pray for all patients with dementia of any form.  Alzheimer's Disease is horrible.  It is so wretched on the person and, thus, their caregivers.  Also, I ask for prayers for my beautiful niece (Tommy's daughter) as she faces her own health battles.  She is very precious to me.

  If you have taken the time to read this far into such a dismal post, I thank you and leave you with this bit of advice.  Folks, be kind to all as you never know their inner battles.  Patience, love and kindness are so desperately needed in this day and age.  Offer the helping hand, the shoulder to lean on or simple a gentle smile.  Peace be with you.

Easter Happiness

   With age comes that loneliness of grown kids that have moved elsewhere.  Holidays are often spent like every other day.  The days no longer seem special and fun-filled.  Instead, you go about in kind of a muddle and merely do what you have to do to get through.  That was the day, today.  Easter was a day of solitude with me singing the praises with my critter friends. 

  Early this morning, I headed to the pier to catch the sunrise.  I watched as redfish played in the shallows and pelicans dove after little mullet.  Just as the thoughts started to stray, I was astounded by the sight of, not one, but three Snowy Egrets meandering down the marsh edge as they searched for minnows in the two inch deep water.  The birds were oblivious of my presence on the pier so I stayed still and let them pass without disturbing them.  The birds seemed happy to be together on this Easter Morn.

  Every critter on this earth sings praises of the new day.  They awaken happy to have survived yet another night.  I feel the same.  Happy Easter, my friends.  Peace be with you.

Singing Loud And Clear!

  For the longest time, one bird's song puzzled me.  Deep under the thatched marsh mats, a squeaky, trilling sound could be heard each morning.  The song almost reminded me of a squeaky wheel that was on my son's little red wagon some thirty-five years ago.  That wheel squeaked from the time we got the wagon and I never oiled it even though Pop tried so many times.  I informed Pop that it was my "security system"!  I always knew where my toddler was as long as I could hear that squeaky wheel!  The bird was a different story, however, as I never knew exactly where the song was being sung.  Yes, under the marsh mats was a general area but a huge area.   I figured it had to be some shore bird that kept far beneath the mats as protection.

  Then, one icy morning, I ventured to the pier to sit and observe.  Surely, the bird had to surface at some time and it seemed to greet the morn with its song on a daily basis.  I waited.  And waited. And waited.  From the sheer volume of the song, I figured this had to be a bird of some heft.  No tiny tyke could possibly sing that loud!  I was wrong.  Once the bird finished praising the morning's first light, the sound changed to a wee chipping.  Out popped a tiny head then the entire bird.  This was a Swamp Sparrow!  Goodness!  How in the world can those tiny lungs push out that loud song?  Mystery was solved, however, and I was pleased with the outcome as I love these little birds.  They are so resourceful and smart....and now I know they have a powerful song!

  The Swamp Sparrow blends well with its surroundings which gives it great protection as it flits through the marsh in search of food.  During the cold winter months, the small birds take protection from the elements under the marsh mats that were piled high during the summer.  Rarely does the tide get high enough to soak the mats during the winter months so the birds have a dry, snug home.  

  This afternoon, I ventured out long enough to head to the pier.  It had been raining all day but now only a slight drizzle muffled my footsteps.  As I neared the water's edge, a soft chipping could be heard.  Yep, my little friend, the Swamp Sparrow, was busy hunting any seeds or insects that could be found.  Soon, it would dart back beneath its shelter and spend the night in comfort.  It never ceases to amaze me how some of the tiniest creatures can survive in the harsh world of the marshes.  This little one seems to do well....I am glad.