Psalm 91:5,6
5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 the plague that stalks in darkness, or the calamity that destroys at noon.
Mothers serve. They do and in serving to raise their children, they give life. Life skills and Life stories to give wisdom to have Life. Life is given freely from Father God.
As we live long enough, we learn the valor of leaving this life and going to the next. This is the Most Important Lesson of All, Life.
When I married, my cousin Maxine was 70 years old. I had always really enjoyed Maxine. On my bedroom wall is Psalm 128 - a framed blessing Maxine gave us to be blessed to see our grandchildren and love and Live. Quite a gift from Maxine who could not have children. She had misty eyes as she gave the Blessing.
This is a profoundly personal outlook on life today on this Post. The Nation has seen Alzheimer's deaths climb to double in a decade. And we wonder why. I've had 4 brave deaths in my life from unrelated brain injury and illness.
One is substance abuse, alcohol, from being the martini generation in a martini family. Brains die when pickled in alcohol and begin to make spaghetti reasoning instead of life giving solutions. 1 of 3 people are shown to be heavy drinkers. For my father - it is crucial to face the pain life holds. Goodness comes from working to the solutions. Substance be it drinking, pills, drugs does not make for happiness in self or generations. The need is for discussion with the generations not to repeat behaviors. God gives us work to believe life holds meaning even in pain and difficulty. For Substance Matters find AA or Celebration Recovery. What we leave as our Legacy is so important. Psalm 23 calls this the footprints we leave behind us for the others to know we walked well.
Blessings found in Finishing Strong.
My cousin Maxine is next. She had at least 25 strokes, two were severe.
I was her Legal Guardian for 12 years while she lived from age 82 to 94 in a Methodist Memory Loss Building in Dallas. I learned something important about brain function. The day Maxine entered CC Young, I was speaking with the Director of the Memory Loss Building and I wondered out loud how fiercely private Maxine would do with the loss of her personal freedom. Suddenly a hand was on my hand, I was assured Maxine would be fine - even relieved. I was so reassured and yet not.
The Director of Memory Loss said Alzheimer patients suffer for 30 years many times covering up for brain function loss. Here in the care of open recognition - comfort is given. Maxine found comfort.
Edward has brain issues due to injury as a child playing outside. Similar to Football Dementia. Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys said he was suffering this about 25 years ago. From all the concussions as he retired from being Quarterback. Some of the football players have not gone further down hill. Why is this? According to Dr. Frank Adams, retired Chief Medical Director of MD Anderson - making our brains do our will and not the will of the brain is very, very crucial to brain health.
Brain Health.
One of Edward's freak out points is parking lots. He has said this for 30 years. He gets ballistic and shrieks words that would generally fall into the 'ungracious' category. Do you know these words??? We might all have some experiences in this area. So. Dr. Frank Adams said to Edward. "Edward. Are you really listening? This is important for Your Life."
"Edward, how many times have you tried to restrain your anger in parking lots?" The answer was never. Dr. Frank Adam said, "To make your brain healthy, you have to decide how you will behave and make - not your emotions be still - but your behavior to be within good behavior." "Self Restraint to Good Behavior."
This is not only called Brain Health. This is called by Dr. Frank Adams, "Making New Pathways." "New Pathways in the Brain."
How do we know this is true? Frontal and Temporal Lobe Dementia is like Dr. Jekyll Mr. Hyde Behavior usually. The Divorce Rate is 92% before diagnosis is ever even considered a necessity. This is Football Dementia. Now is there real hope? Roger Staubach has recovered. Roger always did "Make a Wish Foundation." Roger was frequently seen in the Children Hospitals in Dallas and is a very Devote Roman Catholic. Roger knows Faith and Jesus. Roger knows polite.'
Memory games and Mathematics are tools as well.
The Way and the Truth and the Life of Brain Health.
Hear Oh Israel. The Lord Your God is One. Love the Lord Your God with all your mind, soul and heart.
We are not just tissue. We are not just bodies. We are not our minds which will perish and not go to Heaven. We are souls.
This portion of our Post does Not apply to all of Alzheimer's Disease. Repeat. Does not apply to all Portions of Alzheimer's. God tells us to live our lives putting our paths as straight (forward) as we can. God gives us the Gift of Life to say let Love be Genuine.
M. Scott Peck wrote The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth and he wrote People of the Lie The Hope for Healing Human Evil.
When Love is not genuine. Motivations are for self, advancement, power, position and money. Paths are not straight. The Word of God calls this "selfish ambition." Darkness is a path called the ends certainly causes mean. Eventually choosing a path for only self - makes the brain loop.
When you have spent time in a Memory Loss Building, there are no more polite fronts. All filters are removed. And the situation causing the illness can be revealed. Some Alzheimer Patients are the nicest people you hope to meet. The next door neighbor is a dearly loved best friend for life. The PTA Meeting was adorable. The teachers are just darlings. The family are the ones who love me.
And for the people M. Scott Peck wrote about the Memory Loss Building has medications to prevent violent plots and behaviors. No more fake encouraements given. No lack of mercy rules. The Memory Loss Ward is a safe place. Because this is realistic.
When we live long, we discover - to teach Life is to teach to Rise. If we do not discuss what realities there are - how will we learn?
I've met people in their late 50's who will not enter a hospital to avoid learning about death and mortal illness. Won't go to a funeral - death might be contagious and avoiding death and dying might be the secret to everlasting life.
Discussing what brain health is is vital to make decisions to make LIFE.
Micah 6 - The Word of God can be direct. Forceful. Necessary. Just as a child is not encouraged to learn what the camp fire would feel like to touch. Being parented is a very evident reason Father God speaks plainly.
Good Brain Health.
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
The courage and valor of Jesus's Mother teaches us - the grit to remain, the Hope for Love to Prevail until this is the way and truth. Emotions like fear and discomfort were pushed aside and help is given always.
Where grit is not found, there is no hard won peace to live without real gratitude.
Abba,
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You, my Rock and Redeemer.
With Your Blessing, Father God, we will speak in public, we will speak to our children knowing to Bless the Children of God
Our Lord Father God bless you and keep you;
Our Father make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
Our Father lift up His countenance [His Smile] upon you and give you peace.
Jesus' Love and Name upon the people of God and Please have Your Good Will bless us.
Your blessings prevail when we want to find Your Abundant Blessings.
Bless us to be covered in Jesus before, after, surrounding and within us.
Jesus Bless the ones we Love with Your Love, mercy and guidance. Jesus bless our cares to be placed firmly with Father God.
Jesus bless our lives and Nation to Trust in You.
Jesus, please, cover the Nations finding Your Brightness.
Father God, You send us Your Comforter and Helper knowing all the Children of God surround Your good creation asking for more Heaven on this earth and give Thanks for Your good will.
Amen in Jesus Christ.