"...It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving
When I walk along some railroad track and find
That you're movin' on the backroads,
By the rivers of my memory
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind"
Gentle on My Mind - Glen Campbell, August, 1967
So many memories came flooding back to me today when I heard the news of Glen Campbell's passing following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease at the age of 81. I believe it was the irony contained in these lyrics of one of my favorites which inspired me to this message. It also helped me to realize why the Music and Memory program is such a success for so many of our residents.
Growing up in southcentral Kentucky, country music was truly a way of life....and Glen Campbell was a superstar. He grew into one of those music legends that made songs with lyrics that were easily remembered and he was able to relate to generations; not only the "true" Country music aficionados, but as he crossed into Pop, the younger generations grew to love him as well.
In 2014, a documentary called "I'll Be Me" was released and it chronicled his life with Alzheimer's disease as the producer followed him through 51 performances on his final tour while watching and documenting through film his battle and decline throughout. I daresay that there is not one person reading this message that has not been impacted in some way by knowing and loving someone fighting this diagnosis. We watch it tear through hearts and lives; wrenching away old memories and robbing families of those simple life moments that were still left to be made. By watching this film, it was easy to see that while there are many differences in Alzheimer's patients, the one constant was the impact made on the people they loved. "Losing them twice" are often words I hear describing the feeling that comes with having a family member with dementia.
Through the power of film, music and our own life experiences, we are all kept mindful that the need to appreciate those in our lives is now. Stay in touch with those friends and family members that may feel isolated because they either suffer from dementia or are the caregivers for someone else. And let us never forget and always honor the person they were...and continue to be!!
"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."
I'm Not Gonna Miss You - Glen Campbell, final song recorded, September, 2014
