Live everyday like it is your last!

[4labs]

Here are a couple of photographs of my father-in-law with Sam. Three months ago he was relatively healthy for someone 80 and for the most part independant. Today he can't do anything on his own and barely knows his name or where he is. I brought Sam to see him for the first time since he took ill. It was sad to see that sparkle in his eyes gone...

http://4labs.smugmug.com/photos/52695617-M-1.jpg


http://4labs.smugmug.com/photos/52695623-M.jpg

[Owen]

He looks so undigified in the last picture... It is sad in so many ways.

[wxwax]

That's so sad.

[Stan]

Sorry, 4labs, I know the feeling.

Stan

[DavidTO]

My grandfather had a stroke when I was 7. 5 years of slow decline. Very sad. I remember the applesauce medicine he took. I feel for you...

[BrianLowther]

Thank you.

My wife's grandmother died on Sunday night aged 89.
She aged so much in the last year, the sparkle was gone.
I remember 2 months ago visiting her to take some photographs. Even with my adorable daughter she could not smile.

Your first photograph reminds me of her in the good days.


Brian

[ginger_55]

Yikes!

Gonna run for cover, that is scary!

Sorry about your father in law, Sam looks happy. Big blue eyes.

ginger

[gluwater]

Thanks for posting this Labs. I'm sure a lot of people on here can relate with you. My grandfather was deathly ill in the hospital in the fall and almost passed. But in December he turned 89 and is at home being as healthy as an 89 year old can be. He has not yet lost that sparkle in his eyes but in the hospital it almost fizzled out. Even though his spark is gone at least he had the chance to meet beautiful little Sam. Even though he doesn't show it in the second picture I'm sure seeing his happy healthy grandaughter still fills his heart with joy. Good luck to you and your family Labs.

[ginger_55]

I agree with Nick on the feeling part. We all feel the same we did when we were 20, unless it is alzheimers, then I have no clue.

But just knowing me, well, I sure feel a lot younger (am 66) than I "thought" my parents did when they were this age.

If I were on my death bed and couldn't express much of anything, didn't want to and hurt all over, I would still be happy to hold my grandchild. If I couldn't see or hear her, I would be happy to smell her. I kid you not, the body goes, but if the mind is there at all, we are still kids, just damn mad at the body.

ginger

[auraflora]

Yes, it is very sad. Don;t I know it!

Day by day..

Michal

[livinginoz]

I agree with Nick on the feeling part. We all feel the same we did when we were 20, unless it is alzheimers, then I have no clue.

But just knowing me, well, I sure feel a lot younger (am 66) than I "thought" my parents did when they were this age.

If I were on my death bed and couldn't express much of anything, didn't want to and hurt all over, I would still be happy to hold my grandchild. If I couldn't see or hear her, I would be happy to smell her. I kid you not, the body goes, but if the mind is there at all, we are still kids, just damn mad at the body.

ginger

ginger, i can so understand what you mean. i turn 60 this year, and have been having knee probs and pain, and it gets to you when you still feel like you did mentally years ago.

on the other hand, my mom is 84 and has her share of ups and downs, yet still has a vibrant mind, has learned more about her computer in the past month as we have been fixing it than kids know......and complains that all the people she bowls with act so old.

but it is sad when that will seems gone.......

[erich6]

That seems like a fast decline. Sorry to hear about this 4Labs. Hope you and your family can take comfort from each other.

Erich