Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: NEWS (07/05/18)
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TITLE: Call the Cops! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Bonnie Kronberger
07/10/18 -
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“Oh no,” my mind moaned. “Not another night of craziness!”
My husband, Lee, suffering from Alzheimers, frequently battled delusions, which put me at my wit’s end. If this were the first time, I would have been more startled and gotten up to watch him. However, he didn’t acted frightened and I knew I couldn’t convince him of reality. I had even cancelled the newspaper and stopped watching the evening news since Lee was certain every story was happening in his yard.
I figured he was safe walking through the house in his underwear and I could stay cozy under the covers.
“I’m not getting up.” I whined. “It is the middle of the night and I’m going back to sleep. Come to bed,” I demanded. I pulled the pillow over my head and pretended to ignore him. Past experiences gave me hope that if I didn’t respond he would forget it and return to bed. No such luck.
For the next few hours my stubborn will allowed me to stay in bed, and while I didn’t sleep I did rest my eyes. I would hear Lee’s feet gently tapping on the hallway floor as he walked back and forth from dining room to bedroom. He eventually put on clothes and returned to his vigil; looking out the window at our well-lit driveway and seeing imaginary bad men.
After more failed attempts to get me up to participate in his folly, I heard him put on his shoes. Now my radar went up several notches. Shoes meant the possibility of him going outside. So as he once again entreated me to rise, I grumbled and griped as I climbed out of bed and slipped into some clothes.
At the window he pointed, “Look! There’s a bunch of guys over there behind the pickup, and there’s more in the yard. See! They’re planning to do something bad.”
I was having trouble leaving my grumpy attitude behind to enter into his Alzheimer’s world, as I knew I should. For weeks I’d been praying for strength to be selfless and patient with Lee. The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak.
He continued his vigil at the window and I tried for a little more shut-eye in a nearby recliner.
“Call the cops!” he shouted, startling me from my nap. “Two guys ran by and they are hiding by the porch.”
“I’m not calling the cops!”
“Yes! Tell them somebody told me they were going to do something bad.”
“I’m not calling the cops,” I repeated with emphasis.
“Oh right, just let them kill me.” He turned in disgust and sat in the dining room to continue his watch.
I was finally convicted of my surliness. After a quick prayer of repentance and a plea for wisdom, I picked up the phone and pretended to call. Talking loudly so Lee would hear, I said, “Hello, Police? I’m calling for my husband. He’s been told some bad guys are going to do some bad things here.” I paused, then said, “Oh, is that right. Thank you very much.”
Going into the dining room I sat on a chair beside Lee and spoke with authority. “The cops said they received information that this group of bad guys have moved to a different town and are doing bad things in a different neighborhood.”
He sat up straight and eagerly asked,” The cop said that?”
“Yes! They also said they will be driving by to patrol the area but they are sure the bad guys are gone.”
Lee returned his gaze to the window. I settled into my recliner again, thanking God for giving me an idea that might bring an end to this nightmare. He reminded me when I am weak, He is strong. My patience was lacking but His grace is greater than my sin.
Eventually, Lee got up. “I guess they’re gone. I don’t see anybody.”
“Shall we go to bed?” I asked. He nodded, took my outstretched hand, and we headed down the hall. He removed his shoes and clothes and settled comfortably into bed.
“God is good,” he said as I turned out the lights and crawled in beside him. The clock showed 5:00 a.m. Sweet uninterrupted sleep awaited.
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