Today, my father, known as Pop-Pop, turns ninety. We celebrate his past because that is what he remembers. Pop-Pop suffers from Alzheimer’s disease . I see his life slowly unwinding in a downward spiral, one that is hard to watch. Granny, aka Thoroughly Modern Millie, takes care of him. Granny is 89.I worry and wonder; how long can this situation continue?
In my previous post, I claimed grasping newborn Claire’s finger gave hope. Pop Pop’s hand reaches for help–and we must be there.
So, once again I am reminded of the song from Disney’s Lion King:
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Elton John