I finally said something. We were watching on television a Christmas special from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. At high volume. And still, above the orchestra brass and 360-voice choir, I could hear the smacking of Mom’s gum as she chewed and sucked on it with obvious enjoyment. But I couldn’t stand the sounds any longer, wincing at every smack syncopating the music. “Mom, I can hear your gum-smacking above the orchestra!” She looked hurt. “I don’t want to hurt your feeling, Mom,” which was true, “but it’s loud,” which was also true. I quickly changed the subject, commenting on the expert singing of the soloist. One convenient characteristic of Mom’s deepening dementia is that she quickly forgets her hurts and disappointments, returning to cheerfulness. In fact, she quickly forgets most everything, except things like the names of the cemeteries where her grandparents and great-grandparents are buried, or the road names of the New Jersey town where we grew up, and from where Dad and Mom retired nearly 30 years ago, leaving forever for Utah. Mom and I returned to our television show, and while she returned to her normal good cheer, I did notice that the gum smacking had diminished…for now.
Rabbit Lane 
It’s so sad, like a curse bestowed upon the undeserving. From a point of distance, which is only obtained in the weird mental breaks or otherwise odd detachment episodes we experience, it’s a psychological mystery we feeble attempt to decipher. At least, that’s how I experience it. It’s interesting and heartbreaking as we wait for a cure, as well as the inevitable.
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Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Sorry to be slow (again) to respond. My excuse this time is foot reconstruction surgery. I Hate the mental games surgery plays, with pain, sleep, inactivity, my worry, Mom’s worry, drugs, etc. Getting through, anyway. I’ll try to clear my head enough to write soon. Best in everything to you.
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Geez, what did you do?! Your excuse is better than mine for frequent disappearing acts, so to speak. Yes, my entire family despises pain meds & the grog they induce. Heal quickly, sincerely best wishes to you & sweet family. Also, no worries about the slow response. So busy & overwhelmed on this end (but not uncaring) that I forgot what I typed & that it was not responded to.
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No apology needed, I’m so busy that I forgot that I ever commented. Geez, I don’t know what happened to require surgery, but heal quickly friend. And ugh, pain meds & the pain they’re to kill fog the brain to an undesirable level.
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Oh my word, I just saw I already responded in this post, now that I posted another comment!!!
I rest my case of being overwhelmed. 😆
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