I used to say with confidence, “There are a lot of things that Mom forgets, but no matter what she always remembers Jesus.” But the sad thing about this disease is that it goes in stages. The brain is slowly dying and parts of it are going away. So, it isn’t actually true that Mama forgets who I am, it is the case that this part of the brain is no longer functioning.
I believe we are made up of body and soul. We are corporeal and spiritual. C.S. Lewis said “You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” The simple fact is that our bodies are subject to aging and with that comes aches and pains and eventual death! Death is the separation of the soul from the body. An existence unfavorable with God. He made our souls to live in our bodies. That’s why the hope of the resurrection is so awesome. Jesus rose from the grave – His soul reunited with His body. Our soul in death awaits that day when it will once again join with the body – a body no longer subject to illness, decay or death or long good-byes of Alzheimer’s.
In Alzheimer’s, The sad aspect of the disease sometimes called “the long good-bye” is that it goes in phases. In Mid-Stage you are forgetful, late Mid-Stage you may be confrontational, but in final stage you slowly lose cognitive and physical function. In the final stage of alzheimer’s where my mother-in-law currently resides, one loses speech. While, I used to “brag” that my mother in law may forget a lot of things but she never forgets Jesus, today, I can’t say that with full certainty because my mother in law is in this final stage. Most of the time she sits and stares. She cannot walk or tell you what she needs. The light rarely appears in her eyes anymore – even if I read the Bible or sing or talk to her about Jesus. As the brain slowly dies cognitive thinking may be impossible. But here is our hope. Here is what we cling to, even if we become victims of this horrible disease: Though I may forget Him, He never forgets me.
My salvation rests in the fact that He knows me, He called me by name. It does not rest in my physical cognitive ability “to know” but in my soul’s eternal relationship with Him. It may be that I no longer know Him in a cognitive way, but it is sufficient to be able to say HE KNOWS ME. And this is enough.
It is the essence and meaning of the simple profound statement: “It is well with my soul.” Our brain may be gone, our body may completely fail us to the point where others say, “It’s not well with her brain!” But because of my relationship with Christ, they can say with full confidence even if I can’t: It is well with her soul!
Psalm 115:12 “The Lord remembers us…”
browjan
Browjan's Blog: The Long Good-Bye 
Jan, your writing today has really touched my heart. I can’t find the words to express how good, how revealing and how loving it is. I hope you put all your writings in a book someday. There are so many who would benefit from your words of love, wisdom, encouragement and our Father God who is the ultimate keeper.
By: shilarae on July 29, 2012
at 4:17 pm
Thanks Shila!
By: browjan on July 31, 2012
at 12:05 pm
Dearest Jan, I have often prayed for your m-in-l and others with Alzheimer’s/dementia, that even when their minds cannot perceive the Lord and His love for them, somehow their spirits will. . . not sure how it works, but I believe that He is still “in” them, and they “in” Him. . . thanks for writing.
By: Kristi Tan on July 30, 2012
at 3:51 am
Yes Kristi, I believe you are right. We know that once our soul is separated from our body we continue to know things and recognize people in heaven, so there is a way that the soul knows things even when the brain has died that I am not intelligent enough to understand! Thankfully, God knows and understands! Thanks for sharing!
By: browjan on July 31, 2012
at 12:03 pm
I was thinking of Mom Brown today (July 29th) her birthday. Thanks for posting this Jan. I know that Jesus knows her and will never forget her. Someday she will be with Jesus and this terrible disease that holds her bound will be gone.
By: Catherine Brown on July 31, 2012
at 11:09 am
Yes, what a celebration that will be in heaven with so many she knows and loves there, but most of all her Savior! I can only imagine the welcome!
By: browjan on July 31, 2012
at 12:04 pm
Dear Jan, I am so glad you are still writing and sharing. This writing is making its way around Escondido and is a help. The LORD comfort you and family with his love and peace.
By: Teri Chalfant on August 9, 2012
at 12:39 am
Thank you, Teri! That is encouraging to hear! Give my love to everyone in Escondido!
By: browjan on August 9, 2012
at 8:05 am
Wow Jan, that was very moving and filled with hope eternal. The security comes in knowing that we have a God that not only knows the number of hairs on our head but who will never forget nor leave us to endure alone. Thank you for sharing this as it is a powerful reminder of our Saviors gift of Love…
By: Mike on May 20, 2018
at 7:40 am