Friday, October 7, 2022

72 years


 My parents have been married 72 years today.  This photo was taken 8 days after their wedding.  The photo was taken at my Dads birthplace.

My Mom saved the top of their cake.  She covered it in wax.  Last Spring when we were helping her go through things the box with the cake inside was opened.   Needless to say the photo is worth keeping...but the cake was not! 

My Dad has dementia.  He will be 96 in a few days.   He may or may not realize that it is their wedding anniversary.  My Mom who takes care of Dad will know that it is a special day...one that she recalls fondly.

 Dementia is hard... outwardly Dad looks the same...dementia is hard. 

Far Side

27 comments:

linda m said...

Happy Anniversary to your parents. Yes, dementia is hard. My mother suffered from it and every year it just got worse to the point where she didn't even remember how to swallow. Thankfully shortly after that she passed away. It truly is hard watching our loved ones go through this. Anyways, hopefully your Mom has a wonderful anniversary and I am glad she gets to fondly remember that special day.

DJan said...

Congratulations to your parents for making that amazing milestone. I am so sorry to think your father won't be aware of it. Sigh.

Bev from Northern CA said...

Your post today touched me. We have been married for 61 years. My husband has Alzheimers. He was a wildland fireman for 30 years here in our state. His short term memory is gone and now the memories from the far past are going. We are blessed that he still knows us. Have enjoyed your blog for many years. Looking at Chance brings back fond memories of our Australian Shepherd Mischief. They do take a piece of our heart!

Lynda said...

Wonderful picture. I have never heard of covering a cake with wax. What an interesting tidbit I learned.
Your parents are amazing for the longevity of their marriage. Regarding their health, they were both doing fairly well until about the last five years? You and they are blessed to have such a great friendship in addition to them being your parents. So thankful you are remembering the beginning of their family.

Sandra said...

Your parents are beautiful. 72 years is really amazing, and yes, dementia is hard. I'm sorry.

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Congratulations to your parents. Dave and I celebrate 20 years the Monday after next. I can't imagine 72!!! WE could only be so lucky!

Ed said...

What a real treasure to be married to someone for 72 years who is still taking care of you!

Shirley said...

Sending blessings for your parents on their amazing anniversary. I think dementia is harder for us than for the person who has it. My dad had Lewy Body Dementia.

Linda W. said...

72 years! Wow! Sorry your dad is suffering from dementia. I just got back from visiting my parents and my mother is starting to show dementia symptoms. So sad to watch our parents age and decline.

Sara said...

Happy anniversary to your parents! What a good looking couple! 72 years is a really amazing milestone.

Yes, dementia is so hard - for both the patient and for those who love them. The brother of one of my college roommates just passed recently after a long path with dementia. He was a brilliant writer, but when that cruel disease hit him in his mid-50s he stepped away from writing. I missed reading his columns in the newspaper, and missed his wry sense of humor.

Maebeme said...

Happy Anniversary to your parents! 72 years is wonderful. It's sad your dad may not recognize the date, but I'm sure he still loves your mom. That's the most important thing.

Susan from the Pacific Northwest said...

A marriage of 72 years is definitely worth celebrating. Dementia is so hard. I hope your Mom is doing okay being your Dad's caretaker. It is a hard job. I am glad she has the support of family nearby.

Terry and Linda said...

Dementia is hard. My beloved maternal Grandmother had it. Terrible stuff.
Happy Anniversary to your parents

At Home In New Zealand said...

Seventytwo years is amazing, and I hope your dad will be able to remember even if it is for a short time only.
I know how hard it was to lose my beloved husband, but sometimes I think it is harder to lose your loved one through dementia. Sending all my love to your mother, Mxx

Miss Merry said...

What a blessed milestone. Extra hugs for all of you today!

www.self-sufficientsam.blogspot.com said...

I'm so sorry that your family has to deal with Dementia..it is a terrible thing. Happy Anniversary to them! What a darling picture of them as newlyweds.

The Furry Gnome said...

Happy Birthday to them.

Galla Creek said...

Happy anniversary. They’ve been married for all my years—72.

Tired Teacher 2 said...

Happy Anniversary to your parents! Dementia steals so many precious memories.I pray your Dad has a particularly good day and can celebrate with your Mom.

Linda Reeder said...

Dementia is hard. Two of my mother's sisters had it before they passed. I fear it for myself.
Sending love especially to your mother on their anniversary.

Diana said...

Happy 72nd Anniversary to your parents!! That is quite the milestone these days, so they deserve lots of blessings! Love the photo of them! I truly understand the dementia thing since Jerry has 5 cognitive diagnoses and that's one of them. It's absolutely hard, yes. I have you all in our prayers every day. Hugs, my friend!

Granny Marigold said...

Happy anniversary to your parents. Yes, dementia is hard. My last brother died this past week. He had dementia these last years.

diane in northern wis said...

God Bless your dear parents. Dementia is hard. Being married 72 years is amazing.

Leah said...

Happy Anniversary to your folks! That is a grand accomplishment! Hope they have a good day, the good days are blessings.

Debi said...

Happy anniversary to your parents! You are so lucky to still have them both here. Dementia is hard, very hard. My best friend was recently diagnosed with early onset dementia. We are hoping that it progresses very slowly but you never know. Have a great week.

L. D. said...

The photo is a classic. I am glad that it shows the topper. They have been married a lot of years. Getting old is so hard and those of the family watching are also suffering. My sister-in-law now watches here husband at home continuously while my wife's brother is declining so quickly. He is almost 18 years younger than your dad.

Betsy said...

May God bless your parents. 72 years is a wonderful life together. It's a testiment to the love they have for each other and that your Mom is still taking care of him. Dementia is awful. It's starts out so frustrating for all involved and just goes downhil from there.
Love to you all, especially your Mom and Dad.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy