A Child Again, Harry is No More

Cathy stood at the Kitchen sink looking through the window into the garden.
It was high summer and the garden was full of the heavy scent of Roses, Nicotianas, and Stocks. She sighed and poured a cup of tea for Harry who was sat in his Chair. It was an adult High Chair with him safely strapped in.

Here you are Dear, a nice cup of Tea and an Eccles Cake for you. “Oh dear” she said looking at him, “Let me tidy you up” wiping his hands and face. “There that’s better darling.
He beamed at her and said “I love you” “I love you too” said she, with a glistening tear in her eye. “Shall we sit in the Garden and watch the birds” Harry just gazed ahead and did not reply.

They sat in the Garden that had a Stream banked by graceful Willows with all their braches reaching down to the water, and they were often delighted to see a Bright Blue Kingfisher darting into the water and soaring back out complete with a fish in its mouth and Cathy had captured them on camera and intended to paint them when she had time, which alas these days was very seldom. She did have some respite when her Daughter called at the weekend, and her best friend Sheila was available to sit with Harry while she went for her weekly visit to the Hair Dresser. She thought it was important to keep up standards and when they went for a walk Harry always had a clean white shirt on and tie.

Harry adored Sheila who teased him and made him laugh and sometimes she put music on and they had a little dance which he loved to do as he still remembered the steps.

That was before Senile Dementia took hold.

The Doctor had been honest and explained that it could only get worse and it would be best for him to go to a special home to be looked after.
Cathy would not hear of it. This man who she had married at eighteen years of age, had spent all his married life working hard for her and her two children and had the most beautiful nature with not a bad word for anybody.
When he used to walk down the Street he had a cheery word for everyone and doffed his Trilby to all the ladies.

The Doctor could not explain why some people succumbed to Dementia and others didn’t

Indeed it had got progressively worse but he still had a very good appetite.
He was no longer allowed out alone even to buy a Newspaper at the Corner Shop as he was brought home by kindly neighbours when he forgot where he lived. When he got angry through sheer frustration he would lash out.

Now he had to be confined to one room with Cathy or someone else with him.
The House had to be made Childproof doors and cupboards kept locked for safety reasons

She had medication to calm him down and if restless at night, a mild sleeping tablet
Things came to a head when I night at about 2am she was woken by loud knocking at the front Door and was surprised to find that Harry was not fast asleep in Bed.
She went to the door and opened it there stood two Police Men with Harry.

Harry was minus his trousers and had shoes and socks on and a long-tailed Shirt blowing about in the breeze. That’s in the days when shirts covered a man’s modesty and did not stop just below the waist.

“Cathy” said the local Police Man, “We have brought him home. He was standing at the Bus Stop in the Town Centre waiting for a No 9 Bus to Manchester. We don’t think anyone saw him but he is a bit cold without his trousers.

“Oh, thank you so much, I did not hear him get up, and I don’t know how he found the Front Door key. Look it’s still in the door!”

“Come on Harry you should be in bed, I’ll get you a nice hot drink” and she added sedative to make him relax. The day after he had no recollection of the incident at all
Coincidentally, He did live in Manchester until he was 21 years of age.

Another time during the initial stages when he was quite lucid, he went to the High Street and called at Thomas Cooks Travel Agents and asked to book a passage to Australia. After supplying all the information, they said he would need to pay a deposit.
Well of course he did not have any cash so they phoned Cathy.
“Australia! No!... Harry is most definitely not going to Australia, it’s a mistake”

Arriving back home she said” Sit down here Harry and read these magazines you are not going anywhere near Australia, probably Timbuck Tu if you’re not careful”.

He had now become incontinent so she had to treat him like a baby and frequently change him. Still she carried on stoically.
There was the traumatic time when she was woken up by him raining blows on her head with his fist which caused many bruises and even then she said “ It’s not his fault” and refuses to let him go in a home.

Saturday came and she was able to go shopping on the local Market while her Daughter Teresa took over.
She took this opportunity to have coffee with friends and talk about old times.

When she returned she started to prepare lunch. “Harry darling, some nice Steak and Chips today and Apple Pie and Custard. How’s that”? He just beamed at her, “Teresa darling it will be 20 minutes could you settle him in his chair”

She served him lunch having cut up the steak into mouthfuls and they sat with him enjoying the food.They then all had Apple Pie with Custard.
“I’ll make the tea” said Teresa, and off she went to the kitchen.
“Tired Darling” said Cathy wiping his face. He looked at her adoringly and said “I love you”.
“I love you too” said she. He then gave a huge sigh and his head dropped to one side.
“Darling come on, let’s get you to bed for a little snooze. Come on out you come.

Harry did not move. His head stayed slumped to one side. Alarmed she called “Harry!! Come on”
Harries head slumped lower to his chest. Ooooooh!... My God…Teresa!! Teresa!! It’s Harry He’s feinted”
Teresa came running “What’s the matter? Let’s get him out, lay him on the floor get a towel under his head
I’ll try and bring him round “Mum, better get the Ambulance as well” “Oh! No! “
“Mum!! Ring for the Ambulance, Now” “Harry, Harry, come on fellow “she felt his pulse, hardly a beat
“I’ll give him’ mouth to mouth’ Mum” and bent down blowing life’s breath into him, he did not move a muscle.

In less than five minutes the Ambulance arrived and went straight into the kitchen and took over.
They too tried various things to make him recover …..After a while they looked at Cathy and Teresa and Shook their heads...........
We better get him to Hospital you come along as well .In the ambulance Cathy Held his hand crying. Harry looked so peaceful with a smile on his lips. “Mum you did your best for him, and he did not suffer. In fact he died a very happy man after your lovely meal. “Oh Teresa his last words to me were: “I love you” I will never forget that said Cathy.

Harry was pronounced dead on arrival after a massive Heart Attack which was not unusual in Dementia.

“In the midst of life we are in death, earth to earth, ashes to ashes.”

God Rest His Soul

A very good story and poignant.

You should try to get them published.

HI voice

Thank you. I am considering getting them published

This is my last day of freedom as many of the family are descending on me for at least two weeeks. I must devote my time to them for that short period.

There will be lots of family parties too.

After that I will need a holiday.

I will log on occasionally .

Have fun,

Azure

Such a touching story there, Azure. I know a few people who have looked after loved ones with this tragic disease and it must be heartbreaking for all concerned. Especially as those suffering from it have moments when they're aware they've become mentally ill. So sad


You do have the knack of getting into interest into your story very quickly, as I've mentioned before.

Enjoy having your family about and look forward to seeing you back with us afterwards

Hi sherry

My family have all gone out in the Village Train which they are fascinated by.

We had a Family Party last night at my Daughters and Son -in Laws Restaurant

It was hilarious. My son-in Law from America is quite a comedian and he was taking a group photo of the women and to get us to smile,he shouted "All say Penis or sausage".

The meal lasted four hours with many courses and wine.

I am just relaxing before they return. after which my Grand Daughters want to Paint pictures with me.

azure

Oh, you sound like you're all having a wonderful time!! That's brilliant!

Bet you all have big smiles on that photo