Christmas in Ohio

We spent Christmas in Ohio with Bear's family. It was a great time. I am sitting in his parent's living room while I type this..... Browns game is on and we are all cuddled up on the couches. I love spending time at his parent's house. It is so cozy and homey.

It is remarkable how much has changed this year with his Dad. It has only been six months since Papa Bear was diagnosed with Dementia with Lewy Bodies. I just watched him stand beside the couch staring at in for almost five minutes. It is like his body doesn't respond to what his mind is telling him to do....like his body is frozen even though his mind is telling him to move.

Christmas Day was difficult for him. He sat expressionless on the sofa beside Mama Bear all afternoon. He didn't respond to any of the gifts and had difficulty opening presents. At one point, he exploded in anger at MB.... he told her NOT to buy anything and he said she better find the receipts and take everything back. She just exploded into tears. It was hard because she brushed it off the first few times, but after a while, it just tears you up because we are all mourning the way he used to be at Christmas. I think it really hit hard this year because last year he was able to keep his spirit up, but this year, it was gone. I set down with him to go through some baseball cards, and he was unable to process the experience. That broke Bear's heart because that is something they have always bonded over.

I think we all fear that he will not get better, but just continue to become more frail and disoriented. It is hard to see such a kind and gentle man struggle so much to get through a normal day. I think it is even harder on MB, who has to watch her partner leave her a little more each day. I am so thankful I had a few years to get to know him, and I know his legacy will live on through Bear and our children.