Light in the Darkness

"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." ~ St. Francis of Assisi

Let us be that single candle, spreading light into a dark world!

Welcome to my Light in the Darkness meme! (If you missed my post on the inspiration for this meme, you can read all about it HERE.)

This is the place to share good things that are happening in our world...whether it's a link to a news article/video, something from your personal experience...anything good that can bring light into darkness!

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Remember the Bible verse I chose for myself this year? 

"Rejoice in the Lord, always! Again, I say rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

This week I'd like to share another instance where that verse has helped me in my life's journey.

Matt's dad, The Professor, stays w/ us two weekends a month. His long-term memory is good & he often shares the early years of his life. It's wonderful for our Blessings to hear stories of Grandpa's youth. 

Due to his dementia though, his short-term memory is another story. While we are quite patient in answering his repeated questions & comments, it can be trying at times...esp. when you're only 6 years old & Grandpa has asked you five times in the past hour if the "hiccups & gas bubbles attacked you" (a common question he has for all of us in the mornings he's stayed w/ us).

This past weekend, he once again asked Matt how he & I met. So, Matt shared the story of when he worked at a bank & I was a customer. (You can read the full story HERE.) The Professor went on to ask further questions, like what my first impression was of Matt & what first attracted me to him. (It was his smile, BTW!) 

I realized, during this conversation, that by answering his questions for the umpteenth time, it forces us to remember the early days of our relationship. Sure, we think of those times occasionally, but these moments are now being shared w/ The Professor, as well as our Blessings who are listening. They hear how their parents got together. They also see how patient we are in answering questions that The Professor has asked many times before. 

This is how we rejoice & find the positives in the tragic illness of dementia...we remember our own stories & experiences, sharing them w/ The Professor.