Oh, it is such a sad day and also a blessed day. My friend Cora died today. Cora had dementia brought on by strokes. There are names for that type, but I don't remember what they are. She has been in my life for the whole time I have worked at the pointe. And she became one of my favorites. I would give her a hug and sometimes she would kiss my head.
The thing about dementia is that they may not remember any particular action. But they remember how you make them feel. And so, I went out of my way to make sure she felt the love. She felt the care and how I always treated her with dignity.
A couple of months ago she had fallen and broke her wrist. That ended her days of eating in the dining room as it made the tremor worse in her dominant hand. She had days that she didn't eat in the dining room due to that tremor, but it came and went. After the fall it was an all the time thing. So, I only saw her when I did deliveries of their dinner. And every time I made sure to go in and ask her how she was and give her a hug.
Early in the week last week, she had lost Ray and came out to the common area. As soon as she saw me she grabbed me and held on for dear life. Ray wasn't lost, she just had forgotten he had used the bathroom. So, I was able to return her to him and she was okay. But I know for a moment I was her safe spot.
Near the end of the week something changed for her. A major transition. And so, I went and saw her. She had been pretty unresponsive to others, but she knew I was there. I gave her a hug and told her that I loved her and how blessed I was to know her. She held my hand and held it tightly. Like again I was her safe spot.
She went to the hospice house so that Ray could have a respite. I knew she wasn't coming back. At lunch another resident told me that she has passed this morning. She was passed the tipping point as I like to call it between quality of life and survival. She went somewhere today where there are no more tremors, where her brain works normally, and she is at peace.
Oh, my Cora. I am blessed to have known you. I love you and wish you well on your journey. Love and light always. I hope I always made you feel love.