This is a picture of mom and I having fun on Catalina Island from our last Mother-Daughter trip before her memory started to fade away. I cherish that special time together and I’m so glad we did it before her disease got worse. Now I know what they mean by THE LONG GOODBYE because my mom had Alzheimer’s for 12 long years. You’ve heard that saying, “things change but memories last forever”. Well anyone with Alzheimer’s is slowly robbed of their memories and eventually their dignity.

I did see that LOVE is the only memory one never loses because even if one loses his mind, the memory remains in the heart.  I was so grateful our family and close friends who knew mom looked beyond the disease and remember the happy, heartwarming, selfless person she was. My mom was a very strong person and faced, tragedy at young age when my dad died shortly after returning from honorably serving in the Marine Corps during Vietnam. She was faced with raising five young kids ages 11-1 yrs. old by herself. At the same time, she worked a full-time job and lovingly watched over both of her parents and her mother-in-law too. She was my HERO growing up. I was also very close to her mom, my grandma, and it was so hard when grandma got Alzheimer's in her older years. Back then I never thought that my mom would have to endure that too. Luckily, after raising all five of us and taking care of the grandparents, God rewarded my mom with the second love of her life- Glenn. I called him Dad. They had the most romantic, beautiful marriage and were inseparable. I always tell people, my folks were like Noah and Allie in the movie, The Notebook because even though my dad didn’t have Alzheimer’s, he loved mom so much and stayed by her side in in her memory care until the end. 

Since her passing, I have come across other family members and friends who have loved ones with this awful disease. Alzheimer’s disease has a deep impact not only on those who are diagnosed, but also on the people who are the closest to them. This motivates me to step up and do what I am capable of doing right now to help find a cure. I recently volunteered the past 2 ½ years to be part of the ALZ U.S. Pointer Study and now I am forming a walk team to raise money and awareness.  Although Alzheimer’s was officially described 115 years ago, we still do not have a cure for this unstoppable disease. Why? Follow the money. Alzheimer’s is a major health crisis yet severely underfunded in comparison to cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS and even COVID 19. Thankfully the Alzheimer’s Association and laboratories around the world are making advances which is very optimistic.

YOU can do your part too by joining me on our walk team OR making a contribution to support the research in making progress against this toxic illness and in defense of future generations.  Do it in honor or your loved one who has Alzheimer's or has passed because of this heartbreaking disease.  Any donated amount is appreciated and of course prayers for families and loved ones stricken with this disease. HOPE and LOVE are the last things every lost!