The Most Loving Thing

By Dizzy -- WSA Support Group Leader, Forum and WSA Member 

A year ago today I walked out of the assisted living community without her.  It was quiet--deeply quiet--walking alone to my rented car and driving away.  Away.  A dreadful word loomed just beyond my sense of exhaustion, relief and freedom.  I didn't think about it head-on, but it lurked there waiting.  Abandonment.

A series of illness had hijacked her, and me, and dropped us in a strange land.  Her with dementia, me with my own madness for which I have no name.  It is the madness of loss--loss of a lovely home, a good job, friends, family, retirement, travel, community, intimacy, companionship--peace.