It’s late here in “the rock†(official nickname for little rock…no really…it was like voted on and everything) and quite rainy…
I decided to stay up a little later tonight than normal because I’m not going to work in the morning…I’m singing in a funeral…my great uncle (grandpa’s brother) died on Monday and my family wanted me to sing “Amazing Grace (My Chains are God)†for the service.
Anytime someone dies you automatically begin to recall the memories you had of that person…
Sim (great uncle) lived next door to me…he was around 75 and had dementia pretty bad…it was to the point that he sometimes forgot how old he actually was which then made him forget what limitations come with being that certain age…
Let me explain…(and this story is quite funny if you can picture it)
(once upon a time)
There is a barn behind my house (remember I live in my grandparents old house) that stored a number of things…tractors, mowers, tools, bikes, gardening supplies, etc. Well Sim would sometimes find his way into that barn and decide to drag out things from time to time…
This particular day…the bike…
If you’ve never had the chance to witness a 75 year old-dementia ridden man with overalls riding a 25 year old bike through your back yard…you’re really missing out!
What’s the saying? “it’s like riding a bike…you never forgetâ€â€¦that is so true…who knows when the last time this man had rode a bike…but this day…he picked it right up as if it were day before…
Of course the dementia took over and he decided to ride down the street and someone had to go pick him up…but never-the-less…he had the time of his life…
(the end)
(My family’s pretty great…I sometimes forget…)
Sorry about the loss of your uncle. That’s a great memory of him.
I remember that day. I had gone outside to play with the dog and there he was wearing the ever so famous “wife-beater” dusting off the ole bike for a sunday ride. I had no shirt on and that was the very first time I had met him. We still owe him some money I think for those lawn favors he did for us. Just go ahead and add that to Daniel third this next month. (he said it was cool)
Thank you for the story. Also, thanks for saying we are “pretty great”. You’re great too. Thanks for singing at the funeral.
Grant I am so sorry for you loss. Your family has had a hard time here in the past few months. I will be praying for all of you. My Grandma has dementia and you have to laugh at the things she does or you will go crazy. I am glad that you have good memories to hold on to.