“My mother lived with us for 9½ years, and we all took care of her. She was fine physically, but not mentally, and sometimes she'd say, 'Well, I have to go home now', but she meant her childhood home. Once, when I was in the back of the house, she left and we couldn’t find her anywhere. We were frantic, but never thought to look outside the neighborhood. She walked straight down Mendenhall and ended up on the interstate. That’s where the police found her. They went up to her very calmly, trying not to scare her, and asked her if she was about ready to go home. She was tired, so she said yes and got in the police car. When they brought her home, she came in and said, ‘I need some money for that nice taxi driver.’ It’s so sad, but you have to laugh. What else can you do?
“I’d have to say having her here was good for my family though. We pulled together, and everybody helped. If you’ve never cared for someone in that condition, you don’t really know how hard it can be. I just had to remember Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.’ I did a lot of praying, and my faith helped me through those years.”
“I’d have to say having her here was good for my family though. We pulled together, and everybody helped. If you’ve never cared for someone in that condition, you don’t really know how hard it can be. I just had to remember Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.’ I did a lot of praying, and my faith helped me through those years.”