Thursday, May 23, 2013
Getting Forgetful?
Given the fact that both my mother and my grandmother suffered from dementia in their later years, I am not happy when I show signs of forgetfulness. Recently my husband has been quick to point out my mistakes and happy to ask me which nursing home I want to go to. I find this rather painful and somewhat unwarranted.
Yes, I put the American Express receipt in the VISA section of the receipt folder. And yes, I added in the wrong number in the check book. We almost ran out of coffee mate. God forbid. It is also true that I started to drive to the gym in my car on a day that I knew Neil was taking it for inspection. The good news is that no one got hurt.
So, my question is this: why don’t I get credit for all the things I DO remember?
I remember the birthdays and anniversaries of all relevant family members and buy gifts or cards well in advance of these dates. I carefully keep track of our social calendar and make most of the dates on it. I remembered enough French to get by in Paris, asking for directions and ordering meals. At home, I plan out our meals a week in advance and coordinate what I buy at the store with what Neil grows in the garden. I do all the cooking. I am the wardrobe mistress, washing and mending all of our clothes. I manage the house, the flower gardens, and the Florida condo.
I belong to two golf groups, one card group, one book discussion group, one church, and I go to about 4 gym classes a week. Add to this volunteering for one afternoon a week at the library where I use a complicated software system to do my job. I do email, Facebook, and I have 3 different blogs. I recently learned how to use a Kindle.
Phew! So if I forget one or two things along the way, is that so very bad? Am I headed down the slippery slope to dementia? Well, maybe, but I hope to stave it off for a while until old what’s-his-name becomes forgetful too.
Please tell me that some of you have occasional memory lapses too?
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3 comments:
Wow, that's a lot to keep straight! Everybody forgets things all the time, we just don't worry about it until we get older. Memory is tricky, but it can be kind, too. We've all had moments when we were less than socially graceful. Our friends forgive, but it's even nicer when they forget!! I think you should lay off some of the remembering on the less busy spouse and see what happens...coffee mate can, I think, be readily purchased by both males and females.
Well said, gentle Blogger!
I, too, forget things more often than I used to. It's alarming, but I think we expect too much of ourselves. We are juggling too many balls, and sometimes one will slip. Perhaps with your family history, our having just read Still Alice, the impending arrival of new family members, and Neil's high expectations, a few balls slipped lately. No worries, my friend! I think you are sharp as a tack!
Thank you, my friends, for your votes of confidence in me. It is true that I am preoccupied and somewhat stressed about Light Bulb's imminent arrival. Having just read Still Alice also didn't help my very forgetful week.
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