I know at times it gets frustrating to hear the same stories over and over and over again form you loved one, the I cam across this quote;

"Take the time to listen to your elder's stories, for once they are gone so goes their stories and you will wish to be able to hear them one more time.”

Boy that made me change, I sit and enjoy the stories even though I have heard them many many times, cause I do not want to miss a moment with my parents.

I have just become a companion with a sweet lady with the early stages of dementia.In her prime days she was a vivacious who adored her husband , children and grand children.She was a strong women who gave as much as she received.
We have learned we are from the same area of our old town.When she talks of the past , the people the stores, that have all gone, I can relate to waht she is saying.
She does repeat things over and over but that is ok.What she says has wonderful memories for her.
She adored her deceased hubby.She leeps with his picture on the pillow next to her.Yesterday she told me what a good man he was and how he spoiled her.She then went on to tell me how too many had husbands that were bastards.That was her words.She is a strong Italian women.She talkks about how the neighbors were always there when someone was in need.She talks of the foods she made and my mouth waters as I love Italian cuisine.She tells how much her grand children were so adored by their grandfather.How she loved to baby sit for them.
It is nice that I know so many of the Italian families she knows.That was more then half of our neighboor hood.She talked to me yeaterday about the time her husband tried to teach her to drive.The first time was not good and he kinda lost his patients.She told him to stick it.Then she tells me she asked him to try again and he responded with I have not stuck it yet.
It so reminds me of my mother .She would repeat over and over .At first it would drive me crazy.But When I would engage her and listen to what she was satying I soon was able to respond in away as not to agitate her.I responded then and do now in a way that makes her feel acknowledged.She rememberss the past because it meant so much to her.Her memories carry her through the days.This lady was a hair dresser and worked until she was seventy.She comes from the old school, the one that believed in working for what you want.Loving the children and faith in her religion.She does miss her hubby so terribly.Yesterday I reminded her that hubby was not alltogether gone as he lives through her daughters and grandchildren.She liked hearing that.Because she is not as active as she once was she cannot view now in the positive.So we dweel with the times that bring her joy.