Each day is a new experience as a first-time widow. Dementia affects everyone around the afflicted person. Being a survivor in a rather large family, I see ghosts every day, not the horror-show kind but friendly ones. Why? That is my nature; I chose it to be that way. Strange as it may seem, having two past marriages that ended in divorce and one other close woman, I love them still because I choose it to be that way, even if they "done me wrong". Besides, I claim no perfection; life was for learning and becoming a better person.
Attend to important matters and rediscover songs; purchased an inexpensive guitar that is not a security risk and fits me physically better, so I am resurrecting old knowledge and skills. Choose a preferred set of strings, for example, and dust off some things like an amp, effects, and mics. I told the director at the local senior center that when I am ready, I will lead sing-alongs with my fellow people (she asked how much I would charge; LOL, doing it will be my reward).
When I moved her in 2022, I fell, and then again a couple of years later, and the challenge of lifting my wife and attending to her stressed my body. I am independent and self-sufficient. Each day, I actually seem to reverse some of those negative effects. Soon, I hope to toss my cane aside.
I do not drink alcohol; nevertheless, when the local Irish pub has Celtic music, I will go there even if I only drink seltzer water LOL.
Thanks for reading. I will share more as I can.
Jim