It's not easy to see him diminished. It reminds me of my uncle's battle with Parkinson's -- though with my uncle, his mind stayed sharp while his body deteriorated. But it's the same pain of watching someone disappear, bit by bit, and to ache along with their frustration and struggle.
Plus, Glen Campbell was one of my uncle's favorite recording artists. He used to play this song all the time. The sound of the guitars reminds me of my uncle. When I got older, I began paying attention to the lyric (written by John Hartford). I hope that the men who once held me in their arms still keep me in the backroads by the rivers of their memory, ever smiling, ever gentle on their minds.
I grew upon Glenn Campbell, and was so sad to learn of his diagnosis. With my beloved grandmother in late-stage Alzheimer's, his song "Not Gonna Miss You" was a heartbreaker in more than one way.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sad situation. One of my fears for the future is to be stricken with Alzheimer's.
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