JOAN’S BLOG – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 – “THE FORGOTTEN MAN”

Sometimes something comes across my desk that affects me so deeply that I brush aside the blog I had been writing, and post the new information in its place. This is what happened this morning when I opened my e-mail. A young man sent me a music video he had made in honor of his grandparents. His grandmother was afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease in the 1980’s, long before there was the awareness of the disease that exists today. His grandfather was devastated, alone, and without support.

With his permission, I am sharing the e-mail and video with you today. It may be the sound on my computer, but I had difficulty understanding the words as they were sung. A copy of the lyrics is printed within the e-mail. It may help to read along as he is singing.

Hi Joan – I’m a musician & recently complete an Alzheimer’s –themed Music Video. It’s called ‘The Forgotten Man & is dedicated to my grandparents, Stan & Alma & others touched by the disease. Stan became ‘The Forgotten Man’ once Alzheimer’s took hol do fhis wife during the 1980s. If you find it useful for your site or anyone you know, feel free to share. The link to the video, write-up about it & lyrics to the song are below. Thank you for your time & all the best to you, Pennan.

‘The Forgotten Man’ by Pennan Brae
http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=tyY5y7Eiyr4

This music video, ‘The Forgotten Man’ is about my grandparents, Stan & Alma. They had been married 50 years when Alma developed Alzheimer’s. Stan was confused, frustrated & angry about this. He loved Alma so much; it pained him to watch her become this way. After decades together, she began forgetting his name & even who he was. Accepting this was heartbreaking & difficult for Stan. He didn’t fully understand the nature of Alzheimer’s & what it can do to a person. As this occurred during the 1980’s, there wasn’t the awareness & support groups available that there are today.

Alma was a peaceful person & sometimes she’d just look & smile at you. It was her good-natured soul shining through the ravages of her disease; Alzheimer’s couldn’t touch that. Most important to recall when helping one suffering; that it is not ‘them’ behaving a particular way; it is the terrible disease which has afflicted their brain & thus affected their behavior. Hence, loved ones must extend unconditional love & understanding to those suffering & realize there will be times when their admirable patience & intentions are tested.

I was just a kid when this occurred but I knew my grandparents when they were healthy & thus it made an impact which remains today. I felt terrible for Stan’s heartbreak & Anna debilitated by disease. Years later, the experience created this song. ‘The Forgotten Man’. We recently made a video for it with some wonderful actors. The purpose of it is an artistic representation of the pain folks experience with Alzheimer’s. May it be eliminated from our world. Thank you. Pennan.

The Forgotten Man (Lyrics)

It’s another rainy night in this cold shore-lined town
Water beads down my window, dies without a sound
Leaves fly through the sky, trees dance back and forth
Winds announce their presence, howling from the North

I sit her silently, watch the scene unfold
A grown man weeps utterly, can’t believe what he’s told
His girl of fifty years can’t recall his name
Eyes the storm outside, feels the anger and pain

If you don’t mind, just sit low
Tell you a story that you’ll want to know
‘Bout the old man whose love forgot about hm
He was an old man, he didn’t understand
What happened to the woman, whose life he gave
What happened to the woman, who forgot his name

Thunder softly speaks past the lightning of the sky
Sunshine rays stray slowly in once clouds take heed and die
Hurting tears always fall past the strike of the heart
Tears of joy overcome, as the darkness departs

Sit here with hands in lap, tears flow from his eyes
Want to give him all my help, just a boy am I
He’s seen the world at war, times that caused him strife
His soul is struck again, he loses the love of his life

You know I’m sorry man, but I don’t know what to do
You know I wish I did ‘cause I feel bad for you
Though I see not the years, of wisdom that you do
Reunited you will be forever in your youth

www.PennanBrae.com
www.youtube.com/PennanBrae
www.facebook/PennanBrae
www.twitter.com/Pennan  brae 

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