We are participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's®, in honor of the more than 6 million Americans that have Alzheimer's. I am especially walking in memory of two very important ladies: my aunts, Blanche and Margaret. 

     My Aunt Blanche was my grandmother's sister on my father's side of the family. Admittedly, she spoiled me when I was a child. She would give me money to buy popsicles and let me play with her adding machine. She was also the first person to start a savings account for me. Sadly, she died of Alzheimer’s. 

     Aunt Margaret was my mother's sister. My mom was one of 13 children. Mom passed away in 1996. Aunt Margaret was the sibling that most reminded me of my mom. When we visited Aunt Margaret in the nursing home, she would ask if I would come visit her when she got home. I said "Of course," but I knew she probably wouldn't be able to go home. I asked if she knew who I was, and though she couldn't seem to recall my name, she usually remembered that I was her sister's child.      

     My daughter made her a Christmas ornament and we hung it in the window beside her bed at the nursing home. My daughter asked her about the ornament each time that we went to the nursing home, but Aunt Margaret would say that her son made it out of bark. At first my daughter didn't understand and took it to heart that Aunt Margaret would give someone else credit for making the ornament that she had created using cinnamon and apple sauce. I would explain that Aunt Margaret couldn't help it and probably really thought that her son had made it. As my daughter got older, she began to understand that Alzheimer's or dementia was the reason that Aunt Margaret couldn't remember and that understanding helped. The last time my daughter asked her about the ornament before she passed away, her response was that she couldn't remember. That truth resonates within us and pushes us to want to help others that can't remember. 

     Our hope is that we can find a way to change the course of this disease. We appreciate your consideration for joining our team. You probably know someone who is affected by Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. If so, feel free to ask them to join us on October 5th. We'd welcome them on Team Edward Jones in Exmore.     

     Thank you again for your consideration and any support you feel you can give.