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Through the Door Navigating the Heartbreak of Alzheimer’s

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The Door

            The door separated the waiting room from the examination area of the doctor’s office. As he stood there looking out, there was a look of confusion on his face. She saw him standing there and her heart broke. Wise, gentle, and strong, she had always leaned on this man. But now, fear was on his face. A nurse spoke to her and said, “The doctor wants to see you.”

            After several visits to the doctor, the issues were worse. This morning he was sure she did not need to go with him. He insisted on talking to the doctor alone. Watching as he followed the nurse back, she began to pray. Now he stood at that door looking so scared and small. She already knew what the doctor was going to say. She whispered, “God, I love you but I don’t like how you answer my prayers.”

            It was Alzheimer’s. This explained the memory loss, confusion, and flashes of anger. There was medicine to take. It would slow the progression of the disease but not stop it. It was going to get worse. Ahead of them were years of heartache and tears. The disease would rob him of many things. But it would never take away her love. Ronald Reagan had rightfully called it, “The Long Goodbye.”  This was only the beginning.

             Now he stands at the last door. He is almost home. The journey had been long and hard. She had been by his side the whole way, praying and crying. She whispered, “God, I love him, thank you for hearing my prayers.”

Though the Door  

 His family was gathered around him as the struggle became a victory.  Clouded eyes became bright. Confused thoughts suddenly became clear as his tangled memories were unraveled. With tears of grief and joy, his loved ones said goodbye. But all of heaven stood and applauded when he stepped through the door that separated Heaven and Earth. He was finally Home.


“What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord Now in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints. O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.”

Psalms 116:12-17 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.116.12-17.NKJV

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends

www.pavementendsministry.com

Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com

Pavement Ends Ministry

After years of serving in a pastoral role in several churches, I retired from leading a church full time, but wanted to stay active in preaching the Gospel. I started writing brief, parable-like devotions that were shared through a radio ministry. At the end of the radio spot, I always invite people to come and see me “down where the pavement ends.” (Which comes from the fact that I literally live at the end of a paved road!)

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