I went to see my grandmother this morning. She's dying a slow, miserable death from Alzheimer's disease.
Growing up, my family used to spend every Christmas with her. When she went into the nursing home 4 years ago we continued to go over Christmas day, but the past 2 years we've gone on Christmas Eve instead. She was asleep when we arrived. She woke up briefly, sort of looked at us. We gave her the quilt we bought her for Christmas. She didn't really look at it. We stayed for a bit, tried to think of things to say. She doesn't really speak any more, just mumbles occasionally. My parents left first. I stayed a moment longer and before I left I wished her a Merry Christmas. She just stared off into space, not hearing me, not seeing anything, and laying in bed motionless as I left.
What a horrible, horrible disease.
Growing up, my family used to spend every Christmas with her. When she went into the nursing home 4 years ago we continued to go over Christmas day, but the past 2 years we've gone on Christmas Eve instead. She was asleep when we arrived. She woke up briefly, sort of looked at us. We gave her the quilt we bought her for Christmas. She didn't really look at it. We stayed for a bit, tried to think of things to say. She doesn't really speak any more, just mumbles occasionally. My parents left first. I stayed a moment longer and before I left I wished her a Merry Christmas. She just stared off into space, not hearing me, not seeing anything, and laying in bed motionless as I left.
What a horrible, horrible disease.
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i_am_over_this:
i wish i could be with mine.... she is in the same boat as your grandmother... i was told all night she kept asking why there were presents in her house... 
tai_:
I hope your holidays brighten up sir.
I hope your holidays brighten up sir.