I get to slow down

Something happened to me this week...

I've been given the gift of slowing down. I plan to make the most of this gift.  

At first I did not think of it as a gift.  I was devastated to hear the doctor's diagnosis.  You see, I am experiencing dementia. 

If you don't know anything about dementia, I will tell you what I know so far.  It is a symptom of a serious brain condition.  There are many conditions that cause dementia. To find out my particular "Brain Disease" I will go to a Neurologist (Brain Doctor) and have further tests.  That's all I know for now.

It crept up on me very slowly.  I wasn't even aware of some of the things I was experiencing.  When I forgot a name or a street, I figured it was normal at my age.  (By the way, I am a very young 53.)  But my husband didn't miss it.  He mostly kept it to himself.  I didn't want to hear it, that's for sure.  When people would look at me funny I was sure they were the one with a problem.  I didn't feel different.  I didn't even know that I was doing anything different.  I thought, "Man, people can be so judgmental!"  (Now there's a good subject for a future post.)

Then some friends sat down with me and expressed  their concern.  Armed with examples, they kindly let me in on a little secret - "psst, there is something wrong with you!"  (For some reason it is easier to hear it from your friends than your husband.)   -sorry dear.

I am beginning a new journey.  I get to learn something new.  Most of all, I get to slow down.  No more rushing, hurrying, fretting, driving, stressing.  

I GET TO SLOW DOWN!