But not without a few bumps (large and small) along the way.  Decline is inevitable, but to have to watch it happen day by day is heartbreaking for all of us.

We’ve experienced highs and lows in the last couple of months and the cognitive changes are more prevalent than previously.

Eating is becoming a process… lots of cueing and reminding to pick up a fork or spoon or to place in a hand.  Smaller portions and more often than not, a Grilled Cheese sandwich is the fare of choice when she turns away other foods that have been prepared for her.

On the lighter side, she still has a sense of sheer joy at times that completely catches us off-guard.  She’s adamant about not “dancing” to the music on her feet; answering our request  to dance with a resounding and firm “NO.”  But we’ll catch her “conducting” the orchestra, tapping her feet or trying to snap and clap to the music that “turns the lights back on.”

We catch her with a smile that lights up her face as she finds the words to the songs and joins in a chorus or two.

Hoping to catch and record that in the next few days before her voice is gone all together.  Maybe today will be our lucky day to catch her singing.