As a teenager and young adult I was a witness to the slow loss of my Grandmother. Over the course of about ten years each of her loved ones stood by, only to be forgotten. The light in her eyes slowly faded as, as one by one, memories of us regressed to the point we didn't exist. But I still have memories that I can smile and laugh at. One summer she was visiting and like all her visits she complained that in all her 30 years of living in San Pedro she never set foot on Catalina Island. So my mom packed us up for the day and onto the boat we went. We rented our golf cart, visited all the sites, ate good food, took lots of pictures and headed back.
That evening at dinner Dad asked, "Mom, how was your day?"
To which she replied, "Fine, we didn't do much." Shocked and a little disappointed my mom and I just stared at her.
Dad then said, "Mom didn't you go to Catalina today?"
"I lived in San Pedro for 30 years and never went to the island."
We showed her the pictures only to see her get confused.
Years passed and living arrangements went from daytime 'friends' to live-in 'friends', until it was time to say goodbye to her own home and move her closer to family and into the Friendship House.
Eventually the feelings of sadness and anger faded into acceptance. This was our Gramie and we kept her company when we could. It didn't matter if she didn't recognize us. I know she could feel our love for her and usually we got a smile or two. Maybe that smile was from the mints my dad always brought her.
Currently more then 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide. My Grandmother was lucky enough to have supportive sons both emotionally and financially to help her down the dark path of this disease. But 78 million baby boomers are at risk. I want to do my part to fight this disease and raise awareness. Please make a donation to help the Alzheimer's association advance research into prevention, treatments and a cure so William, Claira and AbyKate don't have to watch their loved ones loose the light in their eyes.
By participating in the 2009 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk, the kids and I are committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer research, care and support.
Thank you,
Kelly, Andy & the Kids
http://memorywalk09.kintera.org/katy/gramielucy
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