ON MY HEART

"We remember their LOVE when they can no longer remember." ~Unknown

An internet search for "Alzheimer Quotes" showed 17,600,000 results in less than one second. Wow!

An Alzheimer diagnosis casts a wide net from the patient, no matter what the situation. It also presents a myriad of decisions that increase as the disease progresses. Having been down this road with my mom, I know what it's like to watch someone you love on that insidious journey.

The other day, one of my dearest friends, who is like a sister, said she made the hardest decision of her life. She's been caring for her precious husband at home watching him decline bit by bit. Even with Hospice home care, he reached the point where he needed more care than one person can do 24/7. The angels of hospice along with her own RN granddaughter's knowledge, experience, and wisdom helped her realize the reality. He moved on Saturday to where he could get the care he needs. My dear friend said it was the "worst day of my life." She knows he will be well cared for as he's where their granddaughter works. But there is still such a sense of loss.

Beyond my friend and her sweet husband, their net casts to their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the multitude of friends and folks whose lives they've touched in some way. I know my heart hurts, and my eyes get damp often.

At the end of February, their second grade twin great-granddaughters' school had a "Super Hero Day." On their own the girls asked to wear their Alzheimer's shirts. (They've participated in Alzheimer's Walks.) One said her "super hero is Papa because he is fighting the disease." The other said her "super hero is Grandma for taking care of him." Out of the mouths of babes!

In the many great quotes I read I'm sending this one by Leeza Gibbons to my dear friend, LRA:
"Alzheimer's caregivers are heroes."