Welcome to this week’s Six Sentence Story Thursday Link Up. The word is “stroke.” As you may have noticed from a post I reblogged here a few days ago, I suggested the word to Girlie on the Edge, and you’ll see why in a minute.
Below is an excerpt from My Ideal Partner, a memoir in which I write about how I met and married my late husband Bill, then cared for him after he suffered two paralyzing strokes.
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After a day and a half in intensive care, Bill was transferred to a stroke unit. He drifted in and out of consciousness. When we were finally told he could eat, he was too weak to do so on his own. I told the staff I didn’t feel comfortable feeding him because of my visual impairment. Nevertheless, meals were delivered, and it was up to me to get him to eat.
I placed a fork in his hand and said, “Here, honey, eat some mashed potatoes.”
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Well, did Bill eat those mashed potatoes? Read the book and find out. You can click on the above link for more information and ordering links.
Thanks to Girlie on the Edge for this week’s prompt. You can click here to participate and read other bloggers’ six-sentence creations.
New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.
Independently published with the help of DLD Books.
Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes her until one Halloween night when she tells Natalie a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that some people with dementia have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she tries and succeeds in finding her biological father online. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding. Her ten-year-old sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant this request?
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My Corner 
I read your ABOUT page and the caring for your husband.
How we find the strength to do things we never thought we would have to do or could do, I don’t know.
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I know what you mean. During those days, there were times when I even amazed myself.
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Reblogged this on Pattys World.
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I am experiening a health episode. Back surgery. If it weren’t for my beloved, I’d be in a worl d of hurt. Good blog
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Thank you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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I am glad you helped him eat even with visual impairment.
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I’m glad I could help, too. But I would never have been able to live with myself if he’d choked while I was trying to help him eat.
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I can totally understand you felt anxious about having to help Bill with his eating. Love this little piece from your memoir.
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Thank you. I hope you enjoy reading the book.
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Sadly, life is a lottery and misfortune bites hard.
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For medical personnel to put such a thing on you is just plain wrong.
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I agree. I think the facility was short-staffed, but still, that’s no excuse.
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Thank you for sharing the excerpt, Abbie. I like to think our loved ones knew we were at their bedside even if unable to speak to acknowledge it or, as was Bill’s case, in and out of consciousness.
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You’re welcome. I hope you’ll read the book. If you like it, please review it wherever you can.
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