by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
Millions of people around the world will celebrate Easter on Sunday. When I was a child, I enjoyed watching my mother color eggs. She would boil them, let them cool and the color them. Numerous family members would gather at my grandparents and we would hide and hunt Easter eggs.
Glenn Mollette
The story of Easter is the story Tiger needs, very badly.
The Easter story of the resurrection is the foundational truth of the Christian faith. Without it, Christianity is nothing but another religion. The resurrection is what empowered the disciples to die for the message Jesus told them to preach. If they had not seen and touched Jesus after his crucifixion they would never have had the boldness to die for what they knew was true. Jesus’ resurrection changed their lives radically. They were down, depressed and felt that their lives had been wasted. When they saw Jesus, everything changed. Their lives were filled with power and courage unlike anything the world had ever seen. Savannah Guthrie has this kind of power. It’s not the kind of power the world gives. She has this strength and courage because she has truly experienced Easter. The risen Jesus is real and personal to her. Many people would find it impossible to face a national audience after what Guthrie has experienced through the loss of her mother. Yet, her joy and strength are in the real meaning of Easter. There is life after death. Surely she has died emotionally a hundred times in recent weeks, but she has strength in the person and message of Easter. Tiger Woods is a global golfing champion and known around the world. Sadly, his life in recent years has been filled with car wrecks, driving intoxicated, arrests and many personal struggles. He has endured multiple surgeries, divorce and bad choices. He needs help. The story of Easter is the story Tiger needs, very badly. I am sure he needs medical help and serious counseling but he needs the message of Easter. He needs a dramatic change in his life. The Easter story is about meaningful change and meaningful life. It’s about resurrection and life beyond the grave. If anyone needs a resurrection, it’s Tiger Woods. The story of Jesus’ resurrection and his message of love and forgiveness is what will save us, help us and see us through. It will also bring Tiger Woods back to life and see him through, if he will embrace the powerful message of Easter. What about you? Have you embraced the wondrous message and story of Easter?
About the author ~
Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.
The Easter Bunny will be in Sidney on Saturday, April 3.
At 10am, the Sidney Fire Department will escort the Easter Bunny around town, who will be tossing bagged candy to onlookers. The fire department says they are planning on the same route as last year and will post it online prior to the event. In case of rain, the even will proceed on Sunday, April 4th at 10am.
Those twenty-minute calls once or twice a month made everything seem a okay with the parents or grandparents. But now, you have noticed the signs and symptoms of dementia are starting to show.
Beginning signs often overlooked by many families are now more noticeable. Their loved one may not be eating well - losing weight can often be one of the first signs - along with falls, forgetfulness and/or a noticeable change in their personal hygiene. That parent, grandparent or close friend feels like they are older, forgetting things here and there, but it doesn’t seem alarming.
In couples where the spouse is suffering from dementia, they may become more argumentative and suspicious. Due to their forgetfulness, they assume the other is being untruthful.
Spouses often try to hide the signs and symptoms of dementia from their partner. Truly needing help, but not wanting to feel vulnerable, they are afraid of not being in control of their life they have built together.
A few things to keep in mind when celebrating and wanting to include family or friends suffering
from dementia during the holiday season:
Your loved on may not realize that it a holiday and may ask often "Where should I be?". By responding with a reassuring answer such: "We are right where we should be, Ted invited us for
dinner." This can give comfort to someone with dementia.
When around friends and family that they no longer recognize, avoid asking, “don’t you remember
So-and-So?” It can be very frustrating and make them feel very inadequate or add to their confusion. While they may respond with a yes, they may still not have any idea who the person is or their relationship to them.
Please remember that sometimes over stimulation, like continuous loud environments or sudden noises, can sometimes bring about agitation or confusion.
Everyone loves seeing the excitement of young children especially at the holidays. But a busy, fast-paced environment is sometimes too much for someone with this disease. They no longer can process these situations as they once did and an innocuous experience may cause a sudden negative mood swing.
Consumption of alcohol has a much different effect on someone with dementia, especially if
they are taking prescription medication and should be avoided.
Overall, just be mindful that your loved one may not enjoy these experiences as they did prior to
onset of dementia. In advanced stages, it is often better to just spend quiet moments together separate from large family groups.
Remember that people with dementia continue to need loving, safe relationships and a caring touch not only during the holiday season, but everyday.
