Momma is free

Momma retired a few months before her 65th birthday.She said she was having trouble running her job.I think Daddy getting sick had lots to do with her getting sick,all that stress.Momma had Alzheimer's.It did not strike me something was wrong till one Sunday we where sitting in the drive thru of a fast food place.Out of the blue Momma said"I have caught cancer from your Daddy".After laughing to myself it hit me she was serious.I tried tell her that cancer could not be spread from person to another but it was no use.I started noticing small things like she could not balance her check book which she kept losing,thank goodness we always found it.She could not pay bills any more,she would get confused and aggravated.Then she would say things so outrageous it was almost funny.So and so said this so and so did that.A few years pass and things aren't funny.She cries her self asleep each night wanting her parents.She is now a little girl.I say Momma and she smiles saying "why are you calling me Momma?I have never been married or have children she would say.There is a condition called sundowning.People with dementia become more agitated as night time nears closer.That is when being a caretaker becomes unbearable at times.Many a night would go sleepless when she would walk the floors calling her parents.We had one good night togather before she went to the hospital.She laughed and ate popciciles she even remembered my name.That was a Saturday night,Monday I had to call an ambulance for her.I knew it was the end.For a week she was in the hospital.Then 21 days at hospice.She had been holding my hand,never speaking,but she squeezed my hand like she knew I was there.I looked up and Momma took a long breath.It was over.Momma was now free.