Slip-sliding down the Alzheimer Highway

The Farm Manager has been a little distant of late, mainly because she’s bummed out that a good friend and co-worker is dying. She’s in a hospice now, and it’s a matter of a few days at most.

But dying people can surprise you. They can drag the death throes out for months sometimes.

Even years!

I paid the gas bill a few days ago. Then I got the latest internet statement from the gas company. Seems I have a $600 credit on my account. That’s because I’d already paid the bill I paid again a few days ago.

My esteemed uncle, a renowned historian at a serious university , was about the age I am now when he was pushed into early retirement due to the fact that the gears were slipping. I’m out of the same gene pool, so going a bit dotty at this age shouldn’t come as a complete surprise.

Then again, he managed another fifteen years of “life.”

His daughter said to me while we were visiting him at the home, “he used to be a university professor… now he talks to his stuffed toys and shits his pants.”

Ya.

Our friend in the hospice is in her forties and has a teenage kid. That’s not right.

I’m well into my sixties and my kids are all grown up.

Why can’t God take me instead and let her stay awhile?