As we continue this month’s special focus on our grandparents (spiritual, adopted, biological) I am reminded of my own. Last Friday, the 14th, marked 18 years since my grandmother’s diagnosis with Vascular Dementia. 18 years of knowing this dementia journey from a personal perspective. That same year, 8 days later, I lost my grandfather. For a teenager, it was a time of great loss. I had not known such a short span of time passing between losses and gains. But I have taken that feeling of loss with me and worked to transform it.
My grandmother lived 7 more years after her diagnosis. The memories of those years are some of my favorites. After a time of loss, I was reminded of God’s mercy and grace, using that experience to provide the only key to open up my heart in a very specific way. Reminding me that dementia and death may be the end of a chapter, but it is not the end of the story.
So many conversations recently have framed a dementia diagnosis, moving into a senior living community, or acknowledging some type of decline or change in health as the end, and its shadow is the loss of dignity. Suddenly private elements of our life are exposed, and our pride is challenged. This does not mean that our dignity has diminished. Dignity, much like our relationship with Christ can not be taken from us. We may encounter those in our life who don’t recognize the dignity we hold, are lost in the trials and stresses, and have their own feelings of loss, but this does not mean it is gone.
As we close out this month of July, may we be reminded of the dignity of life, from conception to natural death. May we invite God to help us keep our hearts open and receptive to His love and mercy, reminding us of one’s dignity, including our own. When we operate from a place of dignity and love, our ability to care for another increases, and we discover new ways of connecting with the person before us.
That 16-year-old girl saw a great deal of loss in a short amount of time, little did she know it would strengthen her call to work with those living with dementia. And, if you encounter on your journey similar feelings of overwhelming loss, may you remember the beauty of dignity and allow it to help you navigate the storms and show you where even in loss, there is joy.
I feel there is work that can be done here in the form of a tangible offering, I will have to see what the Holy Spirit has in store. If you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to share your thoughts.