9.26.09 - Memory Walk for Alzheimer's Disease

My Gramma was diagnosed with early onset advanced Alzheimer's, and she passed away because of this in June 2006, the day before my 21st birthday. I was very close to her growing up, and it was hard for me to visit her and watch her slowly fade, until she didn't even know who I was.


This year I decided to sign up to raise money for more research and hopefully to find a cure for this heartbreaking disease. I was also going to walk on September 26th!

Well, if you don't know, it rained for about 11 days straight here in middle Tennessee, including this day. I thought for sure (due to the email sent out the night before) that we would be walking in the rain, and I was quite prepared for it. Unfortunately, my walk was canceled due to the weather!


I spent some time on this day praying and thinking about the people I know and that my family and friends know that have suffered or are suffering from Alzheimer's. I miss my Gramma so much and I have so many memories of her. It was hard on me to see her suffering, she and I had a very close relationship when I was a child. When I moved to TN in 1996, away from her, I fell into a bad place, not understanding why God had seperated us, and even resented my dad for a long time because he was the one who moved us. I was 11 then, and to question God was somewhat easy. Ironically, throughtout my childhood, my Gramma was the one who took me to church every Sunday, the one who taught me about God and about praying. I knew that she wouldn't be happy if she knew how mad at God I was, so I never told her. I knew she was sad to hear that my parents were not continuing my church going, even though she wasn't surprised. She just wanted me to follow Him. I know that she is with Him now, she was a devout follower and I admire how full of faith she was.

To sit here and list memories I have of her will hurt me, and there are too many, but I remember how sweet and kind she was. She was gentle and honest. She was so caring, and to giving. I never wanted for anything, and she gave me so much attention and support in my growing years. I love her so much.

7.31.09 - And then there was Four...

Since Scott and I got serious years ago, we became easily inseparable. Scott was also adored by my parents so my family quickly turned into a 5-some, rather than just my parents and my sister and me.

Now, it's not rare that I hang out with my family without Scott, I often go over there for hours while Scott's at work, but it is rare that we take an outing that's made up of my parents and me and my sister - she's usually out, or my dad is working or I'm not in town. In the beginning, about 12 years ago, we were all we had. Just my parents and my sister. We grew up of course, and found our own ways, which was usually outside of the nest. So when we found ourselves all hanging out at my parents' house on a random Thursday, I suggested we go OUT - do something. A few hours later, we were all in the car headed to a Nashville Sounds game!

I had a blast! It was the perfect summer night. We watched baseball, sang and danced and laughed! We missed Scott so much, but it was nice to be reminded what our past was like. These sort of outings are few and far between and I know we all took something from it.

This is a very sweet moment for my parents! 29 years and still going..

My Mother

Mother's Day was a nice relaxing day. Scott and I started our day by getting our church directory picture taken (yay!) and had some time to chat with Ali from LINK. Hopefully she and I will be able to keep in touch, since we don't attend the LINK meetings.

After a quick change, we headed off to Nashville to spend the afternoon with my parents. When we got there, Mom wanted to go get her Mother's Day presents right away! Scott and I brought her to this flower shop on the corner of Central and Lebanon. We walked around and looked at all sorts of flowers and plants. She picked some out that she liked, and after a trip to Home Depot, we headed back so we could plant her presents! (She actually planted them while I watched and while Scott played horseshoes with my Dad).

One of the things that I love most about my mom is she is so caring and thoughtful. She is always considering what others would feel, and always picking up things or remembering stories that others' would like. She was at a yard sale this week, and picked up a golf bag for Scott, just in case he would like it. She knew he had one, but thought that maybe he would like this one, or could do something else with it. (It end up being a nice Calloway bag, and she didn't even know). She's also very innocent and naive sometimes, and I try to take care of her. She's not very tech savvy and I try to help her out, because my dad is super techy.

She's also very supportive and not judgemental. She'll listen attentively first, and then just give her honest opinion. She supports Scott and I in our confusing time, deciding whether or not or when we will go back to school, what we will do in the meantime and how we feel about our jobs. She gets excited about new things (like my photography) Another thing I love about my mom is that no matter what she is faced with, she comes through. She has had some very tough times in the past year or so, and she's always so positive. She is a great role model and I hope I can be a mother like her.

Kathy, April 12, 2009