My friend Tammy, invited me to lunch with she and her mom. She had told me a little bit of her mother's story which included that Abby was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. I was a bit apprehensive at first because I had never met anyone with Alzheimer's Disease and honestly I had a different idea of what it was going to be like to met her. The first thing I recall about meeting Abby was "She doesn't present like someone with AD" and after that it just didn't even matter. All I could think was "Oh my gosh, she is SO FUNNY!" Abby had such a GREAT sense of humor, positive attitude, beautiful smile, and an infectious laugh I will never forget! I enjoyed spending time with her so much that I began to look forward to visiting her every week! I knew I was in the presence of someone very special. Abby became family to me...we shared many adventures...some I refer to as "shenanigans"! We would go out to eat, visit parks, attend festivals, Christmas parties, Mary Kay parties, "football parties", holidays, do our nails, sing together, and once we even took an "Uber ride"!! We had SO much fun to the point of "belly laughing" and "snorting"! Tammy and I decided to start participating in the "Walk to End Alzheimer's-York" along with our friends and co-workers from Life's New Beginning! We registered in January of 2017 and "Team Abby" was born! I am not one to do fundraisers but "The Walk to End Alzheimer's" is so dear to my heart. It is about so much more than raising money...it is about supporting one another and fellowship. I learned so much about strength and resilience from Abby.

While trying to come up with a unique way to raise money and awareness, another tradition was created called "Shop for a Cause". We have made so many friends and gained new supporters through this event! Since 2017, we have walked with Abby, friends, family, and co-workers to raise awareness and money for the cause. It has become a tradition at LNB to walk every year in honor of Abby. This year's walk sadly has changed from "in honor of" to "In Memory of" Abby. Abby is in heaven with our Father where she is free and whole again.

Abby blessed so many lives and even while in the midst of this terrible disease, she still ministered to others and kept blessing the lives of many! I am SO blessed to have had the privilege of knowing Abby and my life is forever changed because of her. I will never, ever forget her and will continue to walk every year to honor her. This year, I am walking in honor of AND in memory of Abby, my "mamacita" and very dear, special friend.

Please join us in the fight for Alzheimer's by walking or donating to the cause!