I have always been a Daddy's girl for as long as I can remember. His hugs can heal a multitude of life's troubles and woes, and his kindness is a constant reminder to treat everyone equally. My Dad has always been outgoing and never one to shy away from a conversation. He was diagnosed in 2019 but it wasn't until recently that the effects of this disease have really hit home as we have watched him become more withdrawn and tranquil. Deep conversations about life are shortened to casual conversations about the weather. Certain questions are too multidimensional to discuss.
One of the things my Dad has always unintentionally said is, "That's just part of it." If I bought a used car and it broke down, he'd say, "That's just part of it." Then we would get busy figuring out what to do. If someone in the family got in trouble and was having to jump through hurdles to get their life back in order, he would say, "That's just part of it." Then he would support them in their struggle to stand back up. When he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he would talk about some of the things he was dealing with such as walking into a room and forgetting why. He says, "That's just part of it." The other day I was telling a good friend of mine that my Dad was struggling to remember people, which was a new development. After they said they were sorry, I just smiled with the stoic strength of my father and said, "That's just part of it."
This isn't a fun journey, but it makes me appreciate each and every moment I do get to have with my Dad. For me, this walk will bring me closer to my family to remind each of us that we are not alone in navigating these waters. It is a show of support to one another and to my Dad. It is an honor to think back on my memories with my Grandfather, who also had Alzheimer's. It is a reminder that we are there for each other should we face the same diagnosis one day. It is an encouragement to everyone else that is walking that day to show them that they are not alone. Finally, it is a rally to battle for us to help raise awareness and funding to continue the research in this fight. Help us by supporting our team BeckBrain.
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