what i'm doing in Colorado

Well I guess it's about time for me to update on what's going on with me, especially since I told several people I would...

So basically right now I am living in Castle Rock, Colorado.

I am here to help my family with the transition of moving my grandmother from the nursing home she has been in for the past couple years to my aunt and uncle's home where she will continue living.

She has dementia, and we think it has progressed to Alzheimer's. She no longer remembers most things... what she does remember are scenes from her childhood, including her farm home in Saskatchewan, Canada. She still fondly remembers her parents and 2 brothers, but does not realize that her parents and one of her brothers are dead. She does not remember being married or having any of her 6 children, though she does recognize her husband, Garry Benson, and calls him that. She also "knows" Bea and Larry (her eldest daughter and her husband, with whom she and I are staying), and is comfortable around all of us, though she may not remember who we are. Her husband, my grandpa, lives here in Castle Rock as well, very close by. He will be coming over at least 3 times a week to spend the day here with us, mostly spending time with his wife. He is an emotional man normally, so the deterioration of his beloved's mind is very hard for him.

Bea and I have similar temperaments and are usually very calm and at peace about Grandma, which is a blessing...

Speaking of grandma, she does not respond to "mom" or "grandma" anymore. She only knows and will respond to her name, Marian. Bea thinks that in Grandma's mind, she is about 7 years old or so... it fluctuates, but she usually has the state of mind of a young child.

Even despite her situation, Marian is still the sweetest lady you ever will meet. She appreciates every little thing you do for her, and even some things she *thinks* you did or are doing, but haven't actually. She can still talk to us about Jesus and His love and blessings on her life and all of our lives. She can relate to finding the tree outside lovely or the distant mountains beautiful. I pointed them out to her on our way to the car from the nursing home--

Me: "Isn't God's creation beautiful?"

Grandma: "Ohhh, yes."

Me: "Do you see the beautiful mountains wayyyy back there--the Rocky Mountains."

Grandma: "Yes, mmhmm, the Rocky Mountains."

The way she replied with the last comment surprised me. One can usually tell whether she knows what she's talking about... and she seemed to, as though she recognized what the Rockies were, just like she knows the name of Jesus or Saskatchewan.

That was special.

Most of the time, she will just talk. What she says doesn't usually make sense, but to her it seems to. We think she hallucinates somewhat, but some of the things she mentions are, of course, real.

Other times, she will just sit still and let her mind wander, or watch what is going on around her.

Anything I missed that you'd like to know?

I will be here for a couple months at least. Lord-willing, I will stay longer, but then again, perhaps He will lead elsewhere.

Larry and Beatrice have welcomed me into their home, and I sincerely feel it. I think of all my distant relatives, they understand me the best. Perhaps that will change as I am here longer. Nathan, my eldest brother, is living with our grandpa here in Castle Rock as well. We will probably be seeing each other at least a few times each week.

Castle Rock is beautiful, my friends. I should take a few pics real quick and share them with you... =)

Love and blessings in our Savior =)