Sometimes you laugh, sometimes you cry

Sometimes I do both - though not at the same time. Life with a father who has Alzheimer's is just a roller coaster of emotion. His mind flip flops like the finalists in the world's fastest pancake flippin contest.

I visited dad yesterday morning and he was in a great mood, so Andi and I went back to see him in the afternoon. We stopped by a restaurant to get him some delicious chicken soup and we were just in the best mood as we opened his bedroom door.......... only to be greeted with

"Get out QUICK. Save yourself and the babies! It's about to explode!!!" I continue (at my own peril) to advance into the danger zone. Dad starts to inquire about all the family members -- if they are in the safe zone. I assure him that everyone is safe and we are just there to visit for awhile.

"There's no time to visit -- get out! Get to safety." I continue to ramble like I'm talking to a rational man and ask if he wants me to put a movie in for him before I leave. "NO!!! JUST GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!!!!"

I tell him that everything is OK, we just came from lunch and brought him some chicken noodle soup --- and I ask him if he wants it.

And there is where I wish I had a video camera. He swung his head up to look at me like I had turnips growing out of my head. He said, "Girl, this is an EMERGENCY. You DON'T stop to eat chicken noodle soup during an emergency. Now GO!"

And we did.