It was an event to bring some joy to Dad. Wednesday was his birthday. At our church's Lenten supper we had a small surprise birthday party for him. He got a basket full of cards and we changed the activity for the evening to one in which he could easily participate. (It isn't easy making all activities easy for Alzheimer's patients and still enjoyable for everyone else.) He was surprised. He blew out his candles and opened his cards. It was a small moment of joy.
What is the downside, the descent to this story. His mind doesn't retain joy nearly as well as it retains anger and resentment. He hasn't mentioned the party since we got home from church. There is no such thing that I have noticed in 16 months as lingering happiness. He continues to be upset about his money. Last night I took my bride on a date. (That is why the blog is a day late.) Our daughter stayed with him and he railed on her about our (my bride and me) being so mean to him about his money. Remember the new soft target I mentioned last week. He found one. This morning my bride and I went to the church spring clean up day and left him with her again. By the time we got home his anger was fully spilling over to not so soft targets. Finding no supportive ear in me, he finally just went angrily to his room. So much for any lingering happiness from a moment of joy. Joy and Joe, it seems, are incompatible.
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