As a caregiver of a family member with Alzheimer’s disease, when I heard this song by Glen Campbell it really moved me. (Well, okay, I cried a little.) This talented singer songwriter has had the terrible disease for several years and is in the last stage of it now. While he was still able to function well enough he wrote and recorded this ballad called I’m Not Gonna Miss You. It could be considered funny, but – if you really listen to the words – the irony of it is so real, so painful. Glen Campbell expressed in the words of his song something most people may not even consider about Alzheimer’s – that it does not just make one’s brain forget, it destroys the brain so that memories are completely removed as if they never existed in the first place, as if there’s nothing to remember. The patient eventually gets to the place where there is no loss, there is simply a ‘not knowing,’ of anything.
I want you to hear this beautiful ballad. Please listen and tell me what your thoughts are about it. I hope you can take the time to play it a couple of times. I’m Not Gonna Miss You – by Glen Campbell
Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂
Polilla Writes 
I watched the video a couple of weeks ago. Very brave. Very moving. I was a big fan of Glen Campbell in his early days, and even saw him in concert once. Wishing you strength on your journey with your family member.
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I am impressed by how he handled this, knowing he would never again remember the dearest persons to him as things progressed.
Thanks for your kind thoughts, Heather.
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I listen to it and watch the video, makes me feel so sad, thinking about all the good memories that gonna fade way. But he is very brave. All the best to your family.
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Welcome to my blog!
Yes, brave describes him. Thanks for the kind wishes for my family.
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This is so very sad. Thanks for sharing.
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It really is. You’re welcome, Darlene.
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For someone who doesn’t know the story behind that song, it would be a good tune with confusing words. But to someone that is going through it, or at the very least, educated about it, it has great meaning. It is so sad what Alzheimer’s does to the mind. Just as the song says, he won’t remember anything. It’s a long process for the one diagnosed. Until they get to the point of not remembering, it’s frustrating and sad. By the time those memories are wiped clean,it’s so much easier for them. But for the ones left behind, the ones who do remember, it’s heart-wrenching! *hugs you tight* I wish we didn’t have to go through this, Lynn.
Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
Caring for My Veteran
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You nailed it right on the head, Jamie! Thank you for your sage words.
And thanks for the hugs; some days I ache for those. 🙂
Blessings to you and yours.
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This is a very moving song. It has a lot of meaning.
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You are so right.
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