MARY Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Biblical
Pronounced: MER-ee
LOUISE Gender: Feminine
Usage: French, English
Pronounced: loo-EEZ
Names serve several purposes. Most importantly they help distinguish us from one another. Imagine how difficult it would be to refer to people if we did not use names. Instead of saying Bob one would have to say something like the short red-headed man who lives down the street. Some names carry information about our roots, such as family or clan name. Given names, what westerners call first names, are generally bestowed at some point after the birth of the child.
I think that there is nothing sweeter than the sound of a person calling you by your given name.
If you are called by name, it means that the person speaking to you remembers who you are.
Peggy has not said my name in such a long time. Even when I would say, Peggy, this is Mary Louise. Do you know who you are talking with?
She would answer, No.
Alzheimer's disease plays mind games with the person who has the disease and with the people who love them.
Yesterday, out of the blue, Peggy said my name.
I asked her if she knew who she was talking with and she said; yes, Mary Louise.
I was pleased because the sound of Peggy saying my name was a gift. A gift that may or may not come again.
For some unexplained reason, Alzheimer's loosened it's hold on Peggy's mind yesterday and she was talking in 3 and 4 word sentences. She was able to carry on a limited conversation.
Yesterday, I was able to talk with my sister and she was able to call me by my name.
I heard "home" one more time because Peggy said my name.
What is in a name????
All the memories of a life time.
All of the memories of Peggy calling me by name echoed through my mind.
Our names not only tell the world who we are but our names hold special memories.
Yesterday, Peggy said she remembered who I was because she said; Mary Louise.
I smiled when she said it because at the same time, I remembered hearing the little girl Peggy say my name.
I remembered her little voice from our past saying....
Woo ese...Woo ese Where are you?
I am right here, Peggy.
I will always be here for you because that's what sisters do.
Amy Li said that having a sister is like having a best friend that you can't get rid of. You know that whatever you do, wherever you go, they'll still be there.
Woo ese and Peggy
I Love You Today, Peggy!
Mary Louise
10 comments:
Here I am sitting here thinking how much I hate my name- Gina Marie. Then I read your journal entry and read about why your name is so important. So I shouldn't hate it. It was a gift from my parents. It was the first gift they were able to bestow on me. My mother has told me the story of how my name came to be. She wanted to name me Jeanette. A combination of my grandmother's names- Jennie and Antoinette. The grandmother's balked at that. My mother heard Johnny Mathis singing a song called "Gina" and that was it. I became Gina Marie. Thank you for making me realize how very wonderful and important the gift of my name really is. I'm so glad that Peggy said your name! I hope she has more "gifts" to give you while she continues to go through the maze of Alzheimers. Hug the memories of that phone call close to your heart. Your in my thoughts. Take care.
Gina
http://journals.aol.com/motoxmom72/ginasweigtlossjourney
That is WONDERFUL news today Mary Lousie!!! You and Peggy got some more time together! I hope you were able to say what you wanted to her "since you called at a great time during her disease" And she was able to talk with you! It feels good to be remembered doesn't it? Especially by your sister Peggy Jane. =)
I know you told her that you love her today.
Congratulations on that good phone call.
LOve,
Wendy
Once again you've bought a tear to this old guys eyes, and a tug on my heart. You are terrific. rich
This is beautiful and very sad at the same time.
wow, your entry was powerful. I will never hear my name the same again. Thanks for stopping by my journal & leaving your link.
beautiful entry, what a blessing so happy for you....it had to be music to your ears. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to any one of my 6 sisters....I'm the oldest and am very protective of them still. I'm so sorry for your pain....God Bless You!!!
that was a Blessing....she may not say I love you either...but I can betcha she feels it.....christie
What a beautiful day for you! Now, on other, sadder days, you can wrap this memory around yourself like a comfort blanket.
God has said that he will not give us more than we can handle; you were due for some comfort.
I share my tears with you because I know the pain of losing a son. For me it was poof and he was gone, no time to say "I love you.", It's will be ten years in October and the tears still flow easily. Mother's day is still the hardest day of the year to get through for it is a reminder of who I no longer am. It has helped to put it in my journal too. I pray You will see this time of saying goodbye as a blessing, an opportunity to pour out your love.
Beautifully written, I'm so glad Peggy was able to escape her prison to play with you and say your name again. I know she feels your love even though she can't always express it to you she loves you too. Bless you Mary Louise with strength and courage to do what you must do to heal this wound and pain inside you.
Marlene-PurelyPoetry
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