In Sickness and in...

Don't Forget Me

The following two poems are written by Margaret Randall a former carer from Brighton who nursed her husband John for 15 years when he developed Parkinson's Disease

Whilst very sad, it is important always to remember however ill someone may become they are still the same person within

            Remember I'm Still Me

                    I know I'm growing shaky
                    My tremors I can't hide
          But please remember when we meet
                    That I'm still 'me' inside

                My words may not come easily
                     For you to understand
               But can't you see, I really want
                To smile and shake your hand

                 Don't leave me in the corner
                    Forgetting I'm still there
               I'm part of life the same as you
                  And need your loving care

                Fate had dealt this sorry blow
                       It cannot be denied
            But remember, when you look at me
                    That I'm still 'me' inside

              Please Say My Name

                You use to know me once, dear
                You use to call my name
                We were so close together
                Before your illness came
                We shared our tears and laughter
                Our rapport was so good
                I only had to catch your eye
                And you always understood
                But now you don't remember
                I see that vacant gaze
                To you I'm just a stranger
                Who helps you through your days
                I try not to let it hurt me
                And yet, Of course, it does
                I only hope you understand
                The measure of my love
                Sometimes I sense 'the old you'
                A smile, a laugh, a touch
                If only you could say my name
                Yes, that would mean so much

Not the Senior Citizen...

Senior citizens are constantly being criticized

for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world,

real or imaginary.

We know we take responsibility

for all we have done and do not blame others.

HOWEVER,

upon reflection,

we would like to point out

that it was NOTthe senior citizens who took:

    The melodyout of music,
    The prideout of appearance,
    The courtesyout of driving,
    The romanceout of love,
    The commitmentout of marriage,
    The responsibility out of parenthood,
    The togethernessout of the family,
    The learningout of education,
    The serviceout of patriotism,
    The Golden Rulefrom rulers,
    The nativityscene out of cities,
    The civilityout of behavior,
    The refinementout of language,
    The dedicationout of employment,
    The prudenceout of spending,
    The ambitionout of achievement, or,
    Godout of government and school.

And we certainly are NOTthe ones