Alzheimer’s Patient’s Prayer

                       Pray for me I was once like you
Be kind and loving to me that’s how I would have treated you
       Remember I was once someone’s parent or spouse
                 I had a life and a dream for the future
           Speak to me; I can hear you even if I don’t
                    understand what you are saying
  Speak to me of things in my past of which I can still relate
      Be considerate of me, my days are such a struggle
     Think of my feelings because I still have them and
          can feel pain. Treat me with respect because
                    I would have treated you that way
           Think of how I was before I got Alzheimer’s
    I was full of life; I had a life, laughed and loved you
         Think of how I am now, my disease distorts
   my thinking, my feelings, and my ability to respond
            but I still love you even if I can’t tell you
           Think about my future because I used to
Remember I was full of hope for the future just like you are now
    Think how it would be to have things locked in your mind
                                and can’t let them out
I need you to understand and not blame me but Alzheimer’s
       I still need the compassion and the touching and
                  most of all I still need you to love me
Keep me in your prayers because I am between life and death
   The love you give will be a blessing from God and both of
                                    us will live forever
How you live and what you do today will always be remembered
                    in the heart of the Alzheimer’s Patient

© Carolyn Haynali 3/10/00