Farewell Batia: Part II

• Being able to attend Batia's service at the funeral home, with her family and friends and some fellow co-workers from the Lieberman Center, helped bring closure to her life and her death. Very often one shows up at Lieberman to hear that "so and so" passed. You don't get to grieve, you don't get to say goodbye. The family who have become part of your Lieberman Family also disappear. Often no chance to say goodbye, I am sorry, we will miss her.
• Batik's two daughters and son came back to Lieberman not only to clean out Batia's room but also spent several hours with residents and staff saying their goodbyes. They came back for the Sunday entertainment in the community room and sat with us. They made sure that the key people in Batia's Lieberman life were informed of her death and of the funeral arrangements.
• Their actions speak to what wonderful people they are, what wonderful children Batia raised. They will all be missed.
• When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'. Erma Bombeck
• This quote was shared by John, Batia's son at her funeral service today. I think it is a very fitting quote to reflect one way of looking at the losses a person with Dementia/ Alzheimer's experiences. In the end, everything is gone, well used, every single bit of talent. And then they move on to go home to their God.

Click here to read "Batia: Part I." Opens in a new window.

Batia

Today our dear friend Batia passed. She had been at Lieberman for three, maybe five years and Gregory and I knew her for the last 20 months. She was one of Gregory's table mates, we also got to know her two daughters Ruth and Naomi and her son John. She handled her Dementia/Alzheimer's with grace, with love, and with humor. She continued to be intelligent, wise, funny with a dry sense of humor, and to make profound pronouncements when least expected. She will be missed. As Gregory says, "We are happy for Batia having 'found her way out' while we are still looking for ours."

Batia's Poem

This poem was written many, many years ago, long before the onset of her dementia, by Batia who is one of Gregory's table mates. Batia and her daughters have become part of my Lieberman Family.

Batia’s Poem

Now that I have sprained my ankle

I’m force to review where I’m going.

So when I go blind

I’ll see my heart.

Then I’ll go deaf

to hear my soul.

Turn dumb

To state the truth.

That leaves madness

To contemplate reality.

Dramatic measures to face the world.