Vivienne Lorret
During the last years of my grandmother's life, she had no idea who I was. Whenever I visited, she would smile brightly--the way you do when you see an old friend after a long absence. And for that moment, I would hold my breath, waiting, hoping that she'd recognize me and would say "There's my girl" the way she always had before.
"Hi, Grandma," I'd say, prompting her to remember.
Then, the light in her eyes would glaze over. She'd politely say "Hello" as if I'd come over to vacuum her floors and the code word was "Grandma." She had no recollection of what "grandma" could mean or the bond we shared, but she was pleased to have company, all the same.
As I've aged over the years, memories have become more and more precious. Alzheimer's stole my grandmother's memories and her quality of life. Alzheimer's took her from all the people who loved her.
I support funding for Alzheimer's research, because if there is a chance that my donation could spare someone the pain of losing a loved one far too soon, then isn't that the best gift of all?
From www.alz.org: June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month — an opportunity to join the global conversation about the brain, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Everyone who has a brain is at risk to develop Alzheimer’s, a fatal disease that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. During the month of June, the Alzheimer’s Association® asks people around the world to take the Purple Pledge and use their brains to fight Alzheimer’s disease.
Ways to participate this June:
• Take the Purple Pledge during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. Go purple and use your brain to fight Alzheimer’s disease at alz.org/pledge.
• During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, honor those facing the disease by participating in The Longest Day.
• Unite your faith-based organization or congregation through Purple Sunday.
• Educate yourself or invite a friend to attend our new program, Healthy Habits for a Healthier You. Call 800.272.3900 to find out when it will be held in your area or to request the program for your group.
~USA TODAY bestselling author Vivienne Lorret loves romance novels, her pink laptop, her husband, and her two sons (not necessarily in that order ... but there are days). Transforming copious amounts of tea into words, she is proud to be an Avon Impulse author of works including: Tempting Mr. Weatherstone, The Wallflower Wedding Series, and The Rakes of Fallow Hall Series. For more on her upcoming novels, visit her at www.vivlorret.net
3 comments:
We are all at risk for Alzheimer's and other dementias as we age. Thank you for sharing information about what we can do to help prevent and find a cure for this disease. Ignoring the risk won't make it go away. We need to act NOW!
Educating ourselves and finding ways to support the research to end Alzheimer's and other dementias is important. The tragedy in my opinion about Alzheimer's and other dementias is that we are witnesses to the person we know dying - little by little. My heart goes out to you, Viv...I didn't experience that hope with my grandmother but I am with my best friend. She still knows who I am but so much of what we've shared over 34+ years as friends is gone.
Thank you, Sarah and Judith, for offering your support and sharing your own thoughts and experiences. <3
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