Judy's Song

I've shared before about my friends and mentors, Ben and Judy. They have since moved to be closer with family, and so we now see them only every few months. And though not much time passes between visits, we can see that the Alzheimer's Disease is progressing in Judy. And we can see the heartbreak this causes in Ben.

It's hard on us too. This is definitely NOT life as God intended. The Alzheimer's is slowly taking our friend away. But we know the best thing to do is pray. And whenever we see them, we try to encourage Ben and listen to him share his hardships with us. I won't disclose any details here for the sake of discretion, but I will share the lyrics to a song I wrote, titled simply 'Judy's Song'. It will give a sense of what Alzheimer's is like, and how much a caretaker must sacrifice for the one he or she loves. 

There's a girl outside my window
But she won't come in to play
I don't know the hour of day
Anymore

There's a woman in the mirror
But I can't recall her name
Yet I recognize her face
I don't know anymore

I can move my feet and fingers
But they're not my own to bear
My eyes search here and there
Where's the light?

I can hear the words you're saying
But their meaning's hard to find
There's a shadow on my mind
I can't see the light anymore

Hold me please
Hold me now
I'm slipping away

I can feel your arms around me
And your lips upon my cheek
Even though I may not speak
Please understand

There is much I can't remember
But I see the care you show
And though I can't return it, know
I understand your love

Hold me please
Hold me tight
Hold me please
In the light
Hold me please
Hold me now
I'm slipping away