By now I’m sure you have heard the Pat Robertson comments about divorcing a spouse due to Alzheimer’s. Nightline had a segment on it last night, and at the end of the segment we see a couple that have been married for over 60 years. The wife has been suffering from the disease and lives at a retirement home, but every night her husband crawls into bed and sings to her, softly in her ear.
I admit this picture is reminiscent of that Titanic scene of the old couple in bed as the ship starts flooding, but unlike the fictional movie based upon a real event, what we see above is true compassion, it’s living up to your vows, it’s death to you part.
But this story reminds me of the extremely touching segment I saw on CBS Sunday Morning in which correspondent Barry Peterson speaks about his wife who has early-onset Alzheimer’s and who can’t remember that Peterson is her husband, but can only remember him in the third person. Peterson continues to be dedicated to his wife, but now is in a new relationship with another women, who is also dedicated to carrying for Jan and loving Peterson.
Below is both the Nightline and CBS Sunday Morning piece if you are interested. If you have to courage to watch them, I ‘m sure it will make an impact.
http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/09/15/christ-the…
I thought this guy encapsulated my thoughts exactly on the issue. And one my wife and I have spoken about at length watching both these stories recently.
Alzheimer’s is so horrible; i loved my dad through it; it took everything out of my mom taking care of him…63 years married she wanted to be the one taking care of him. in one respect we were "lucky"; there is a point in the disease the person becomes either "mean" or "child-like"…my dad was child-like. it is just a sad, sad disease.
what was this movie called ! ? the top one ! i lovve this movie , but i forget what its called ! help asap !!
I miss my dad. He's here, but not. I miss my dad.
You aren't the only ones.