Poor Joel

If you were to spend any length of time with my family, at some point someone would made the comment "Poor Joel".  It has become a family joke.  And yes, it has to do with my husband, Joel.  

Here's the scoop...

Several years ago my grandma Cowell was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  She happened to live in a nursing home in West Des Moines, which made it easier for her family (us) to visit her.  My grandma Cowell was a wonderful, fun lady.  I always stayed at her house for one week every summer.  It was a time for just grandma and me.  Seeing her reduced to a dying woman who couldn't even remember her own name was heartbreaking.  Needless to say, it was hard to visit her.  One day my whole family went to say "HI!".  Nothing like being bombarded with a group of smiling giants when you don't know who or where you are!  

By this time grandma was bedridden.  We all filed into her room and formed a semi-circle around her bed.  Then, with smiles plastered on our faces, we willed grandma to remember who we were.  Sadly, she did not.  My mom went around the circle saying our names and how we were related to her, hoping for a response from grandma.  Here was Larry, grandma's son (and my dad).  Nothing.  Next was Salli, Larry's daughter (my sister).  Still nothing.  Then Aaron, Salli's husband.  Nada.  Down the line we went.  Finally it was my turn.  My mom "introduced" me and I smiled at grandma.  Nope, no recognition.  Then Joel was introduced as my husband.  An amazing thing happened.  Grandma's eyes lit up like she had just seen an angel! And here's how the conversation went down...

Mom:  "Do you know who this is?"

Grandma: "Oh yes!  It's Joel!"

Mom (said with glee):  "Yes, it's Joel.  He's Sara's husband."

Grandma (with a concerned look):  "Joel.  Poor Joel"

Mom:  "uh...."

Grandma Cowell didn't live much longer.  But she will remembered forever for many reasons; one of which is that, in a moment of clarity, she remembered Joel...and felt bad for him.