I was in the kitchen, and heard a noise. Suddenly, a big hulking man, about 70 perhaps, was lumbering into our home through the side door. He was agitated, angry. Todd came in and began to struggle with him, trying to keep him from entering. Our babies were asleep upstairs.
"I'm calling 911! Get out NOW!" I yelled.
"No you're not!" He bellowed as he pushed past Todd and headed toward me at the phone.
Pick a different story.
Pick a different story.
Pick a different story.
This is your dream.
Paul stood confused at the entryway to our kitchen. Delicately I approached him. Paul is an elderly person with Alzheimer's.
Taking him by the elbow, "Paul, come with me. I know where you are going. Let me take you home."
He shuffles out the door and down the driveway. We head across the street and ring the neighbor's bell.
"Special delivery," I smile to my friend when she opens the door.
"Oh. I'm sorry!" She says.
"Not a problem," I say placing Paul's hand in hers.
And it's back to sleep, on my own terms.
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11 comments:
Why did I have the immediate impression that it was your Dad making a visit?
Alzheimer's? I'm not sure from this piece how deeply your family is embroiled.
We're in pretty deep ourselves.
Best wishes and sweet dreams
Wow!
Pretty powerful stuff.
On a lighter note...
Maybe next time a big man barges into your kitchen (in your dreams), you should immediately visualize him in KStag's ugly suit...
or would that still be a nightmare?
;-)
DM, The guy didn't look at all like my father, though that doesn't mean anything.
Maddy,No Alzeimers in teh family, though my father has had a couple of strokes.
Jeanne, I like how you think!
i tend to thing that alzheimers (from which my grandfather suffered) can be extremely similar to autism .. i think a lot these about my grandfather's perseverative behavior, sensory issues and confusion in his later years.
and whether it be alzheimers or autism, a friendly, caring, understanding guide can make all the difference.
you brought him home.
Love you, Michelle. That's all. Just love you and the way your mind works, even in sleep.
And if all characters in a dream represent the self, how lovely that you reframed aggression into confusion and then comfort.
It-on-a-stick, as Terry and Carrie would say. You're just it-on-a-stick.
Your dream really stuck with me this morning, Michelle. In the shower getting ready for the day, it came up again.
Makes me think of the Rilke quote about fearsome things. Our old friend Mystic Wing could quote directly, I'll bet, but I have to paraphrase.
It goes something like this: Every fearsome thing is really a thing that needs love from us.
Yeah. Like that.
Aw! Thanks Jerri. I'm still trying to figure out why the dude's name was Paul? I've no Pauls in my life.
i just found your blog through a poem that begins: The time will come...
i'm happy i arrived here, you are a wonder with words. i like your perspective on this post here.
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