I’ll Be Me

Glen Campbell ~ I’ll Be Me

Recently I watched the I’ll Be Me documentary which chronicled Glen Campbell and his family’s last music tour during 2012 after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Having family members with the disease, it really hit home.  I found myself so moved by the documentary which tastefully showed the progression of the disease.  Tears fell from my eyes at times when I felt for him, for his wife, for his children because I understood and connected with their situation.  It wasn’t easy, but I am grateful I was alone to watch and grateful for their/his courage in making the documentary. With memory-loss, there’s a bereft feeling left for those who love you ~  for it is our memories of the vitality, the energy and the YOU that we remember that is now slowly fading right in front of us.  Sure, there are moments of clarity which we hang onto and then there are moments of confusion which frustrate you and us.  I never knew so much about the disease until it hit our home.  It rearranged dynamics and has been a test in patience.  For the person we knew for a lifetime is still the same, but the relationship changes and they change as well.  We stand by helplessly as the disease progresses.  It’s a test of learning to go with the flow, to be fluid throughout the day, always keeping in mind how to help our loved ones stay peaceful.  I think there’s a special place in Heaven for those who work in memory care. So in honor of all those affected by the disease and a huge hug for the caretakers who hope, understand and love those with memory problems, Glen’s video is below.  His haunting words make me cry every time.  But it’s a good cry, a tethered connection of understanding and a legacy to all those affected by this disease.

Shine On!

xo

Lyrics:

I’m still here, but yet I’m gone

I don’t play guitar or sing my songs

They never defined who I am

The man that loves you ’til the end

You’re the last person I will love

You’re the last face I will recall

And best of all, I’m not gonna miss you

Not gonna miss you

I’m never gonna hold you like I did

Or say I love you to the kids

You’re never gonna see it in my eyes

It’s not gonna hurt me when you cry

I’m never gonna know what you go through

All the things I say or do

All the hurt and all the pain

One thing selfishly remains

I’m not gonna miss you

I’m not gonna miss you

Songwriters RAYMOND, JULIAN / CAMPBELL, GLEN