Memory Walk

As many of you blog followers are aware, my grandma has had Alzheimer's for the past several years. This year, though, has been the hardest by far. They live in Florida 9 months out of the year so we only see them during the summer. Each year we could see small changes in her memory and behavior. But this year, most days, she doesn't really know who many of us are. It is hard. It is heartbreaking. Alex and Anna are sad about it. Anna cried for a long time the first time she saw grandma this year and grandma asked her what her name was. I will never forget Anna's broken little voice, "Mom, grandma forgot me". They have always loved spending summers with grandma and grandpa sucker (so called because they always bring a bag of tootsie roll pops with when they visit). And the last several years we have made a very big effort to spend as much time with them as possible because I knew this day would come. You can't even describe to someone how crushing it is to look at someone you have known and loved your whole life and know that they don't have a clue how important they are to you. It feels like someone is taking them away, but painfully slow. Fortunately for grandma, my grandpa has been an excellent caregiver, very patient, very kind. She still recognizes grandpa, which is such a blessing.

So, as my aunts and cousin have done in years past, I will be joining the Memory Walk for the Alzheimer's Association on September 25th. You are welcome to join us. Or, if you can't do that, perhaps you could make a small donation. So much more needs to be done to combat this terrible disease. This is such a small part that I can do, but I will try to make a difference. If you can, please follow the link on the side to learn more about it and help do whatever you are able. We all thank you for it.