In 2020, my 59 year old husband was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. As a caregiving wife, I turned to writing about my journey to help process it myself and possibly help others on a similar journey.
My husband was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease at age 59 and I’m sharing what it means to be a full-time caregiver for someone with this cruel disease.
This is a post I made on Instagramand copied to my blog. I have some lovely friends on Instagram, and you should read the comments to be inspired and encouraged. And to be very clear, I struggle with this every single day and have to remind myself that there will be a rainbow after this storm.
Hello there! I’m Anne. I have often wanted to wish away a difficult season and hold tight to the pleasant seasons.
Learning to live in the moment, cherish the lessons during hard times and not wish for easier times, is really challenging. I’m in a season right now, that I wish was done, but I know God will show me in time, blessings that come out of even this season.
Before I was a caregiving wife, my husband and I had picked out an RV, and were getting ready to make the purchase and go on adventures after empty nest.
Before I spent hours on IG, sharing my life, fitness and creative endeavors, I was waiting on dial-up internet to connect so I could chat with quilters and my fitness fam, while the boys took naps.
Before I even thought about a health coach business, I was homeschooling 3 boys in a tiny town, and walking to the cafe to buy day old donuts on good days, and walking to the grocery store to buy a Dr. Pepper and Snickers to eat on the park bench alone, on “bad” days.
Before I was a bride, I was a college girl, away from home for the first time, thinking nothing could be harder than college finals week. Well, I think we all know I was wrong about that!
Just like that, in a few sentences, 37 years have flown by. And, in every season there were days that felt like an eternity. Looking at baby pictures of my sons and pictures of my hubs and me as newlyweds, makes it seem like the years were days.
There is purpose in every season, even if we don’t see it while in the midst. I spent months wishing I didn’t have to endure this hard season of caregiving and watching my spouse deteriorate with dementia. But, I know that the truth of this season will be revealed when I’m ready to see it, perhaps years down the road.
Don’t wish away the days. Something good can come from the most difficult of struggles.
