Our Family is now entering our 9th year of Julie's Journey with Alzheimers. While it has been a long and difficult journey there have been many magic moments alone the way, where at times she is her old self and those moments are always to be embraced and appreciated.The best moments are when she smiles and laughs, I may not always know what she is laughing at but it doesn't matter I just go with it and it makes the time spent with her special.The donations to the Alzheimers Association are helping to fine a cure... while it is too late for Julie it will help our daughters and grandchildren. The new medicine that is out now slows down the progression of the disease so that the ones with loved ones can plan their lives and do as much with the them as possible. Trips, events and family get togethers can be taken advantage of, so that there are no regrets when the person with Alzheimers is no longer able to participate in these activities. Donations also provide support to family members with classes that explain caregiving and the skills needed to handle this new part of their life journey.The support group meetings, that your donations help provide, have more then once saved my sanity these last 4 years. It has been comforting to know that you are not alone and in my providing support and encouragement to others I am providing support and encouragement to myself. This last spring her sister from Seal Beach, Susan, came to visit..and while she had FaceTimed over the years since Covid she had not made a personal visit. When she got home she wrote a letter to family members...this is what she ended with: " In most ways Julie isn't the person I grew up with. Nevertheless, her sweet, loving personality is clearly still clearly intact. I cant imagine how frustrating it must be for her to want to participate again fully in life. During our too brief visit she taught me a huge life lesson. None of us should ever take our abilities for granted or those of our loved ones. Go visit her if you can and while you can. She and you- will love it."
Acknowledge the difficult times and let go and move on...Embrace the magic moments and hold on and move forward. Always Love, Thank you
