Kindness Fridays
Community. That’s what this world needs: a unified body of individuals.
That doesn’t mean we all have to have the same political, social, or religious affiliation. What it does mean, however, is that we choose to live in unity and in support of each other.
Have you had the experience where you’re having a pretty darn good day and someone says or does something to you and your entire day’s direction is negatively altered?
In the alternative, have you experienced a bad day when someone says or does something to you and your entire day’s direction is altered for the better?
In the former, someone chose to live separate from you; chose to not recognize you as his or her fellow man; chose to harm you and widen the gap between the two of you.
In the latter, a kind-hearted person chose to come out of themselves; chose to join with a fellow survivor on this planet where division and hatred would seek to become the norm; chose to bridge the gap between the two of you.
My modus operandi is that I assume each person with whom I come in contact during my day needs my friendly words and actions in order for their day to improve. I believe in most cases I’ll be right on the money with that MO.
I mean, it sure couldn’t hurt, could it?
“How to have Fun with your Aging Parents”
I am reblogging the attached article about Christina Britton Conroy’s book that truly appears to be one all of us Baby Boomers need to add to our bookshelves. Personally, it has been a delight to be one of the AlzAuthors’ newest members. I am in such good company. Coming December 20th, you’ll be able to view my introduction as a member of this enriching group of authors.
Source: Meet Christina Britton Conroy, author of “How to have Fun with your Aging Parents”
Lighten up Mondays
Today’s funnies spotlight the 49th state where I lived for 13 years..
You might be an Alaskan if:
- you owe more money on your snowmobile than your automobile
- you have more miles on your snowblower than on your car
- you have four seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, Construction
- you’ve hit a pothole and totaled your car
*****
Lloyd and Bruce fly in to the Alaskan interior to go moose hunting. They have a good hunt, and both manage to get a large moose. When the plane returns to pick them up, the pilot looks at the animals and says, “This little plane won’t lift all of us, the equipment, and both of these animals–you’ll have to leave one. We’d never make it over the trees on the take-off.”
“That’s baloney”, says Bruce.
“Yeah,” Lloyd agrees, “you’re just chicken. We came out here last year and got two moose and that pilot had some guts; he wasn’t afraid to take off.”
“Yeah,” said Bruce, “and his plane wasn’t any bigger than yours!”
The pilot got angry, and said, “Well, if he did it, then I can do it, I can fly as well as anybody!” They loaded up, taxied at full throttle, and the plane almost made it but didn’t have the lift to clear the trees at the end of the lake. It clipped the top, then flipped, then broke up, scattering the baggage, animal carcasses, and passengers all through the brush.
Still alive, but shaken and dazed, the pilot sat up, shook his head to clear it, and said, “Where are we?”
Bruce rolled out from being thrown in a bush, looked around, and said, “I’d say, about a hundred yards further than last year.”
Kindness Fridays
Although the solar eclipse is a thing of the past, I’d like to report about a kindness our neighbor extended to us on that same day.
On Solar Eclipse Day, my husband and I were taking care of our grandson at our house. We didn’t take him outside, of course, and we decided we would watch the eclipse on the various television programs covering it live.
Our across the street neighbor texted me to ask if we were watching the eclipse outside. I responded that we hadn’t acquired any of the special glasses so we were not.
Not more than a minute later, our doorbell rang and there stood Ian with a pair of viewing glasses for our usage; he had an extra pair and wanted to make sure we had a chance to watch an event that certainly would not occur again in our lifetime.
And what a sight to see! So glad Ian’s generosity made it across the street to our house.
Meet Lori LaBey, founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks
You will benefit greatly by discovering all that Lori LaBey has done for the Alzheimer’s population.
Lighten up Mondays
Teachers and students are heading back to the classroom this week. Here’s this week’s spotlight on humor with a focus on education.
- A child comes home from 1st day at school. Mom asks, “What did you learn today?” The child replies, “Not enough. I have to go back tomorrow.”
- The little boy wasn’t getting good marks in school. One day he made the teacher quite surprised. He tapped her on the shoulder and said …”I don’t want to scare you, but my daddy says if I don’t get better grades, somebody is going to get a spanking.”
- What is the difference between a cat and a comma? One has claws at the end of its paws; the other is a pause at the end of a clause.
- One day on Mercury is approximately 1408 hours, the same as one Monday on Earth.
- Teacher: Milton, how can you prove the earth is round?
Milton: I can’t. Besides, I never said it was. - Giving your child a recorder at school and telling him to go home and practice is how teachers get revenge on society for paying them so poorly.
- And for those teachers in my immediate family, Kirstin and Kirby: “May your coffee be strong and your students, calm.”
Spotlight on two authors: Irene Frances Olson and Jill Weatherholt
While you’re enjoying your last official weekend of summer, I hope you’ll read a fellow blogger’s post Summer Spotlight that just happens to be an interview of an up and coming author … me!
And while you’re at it, check out that blogger’s inspirational romance title; Jill Weatherholt is quite good at what she writes. I enjoyed her novel, I know you will too!
Honor thy father
My father was the inspiration for my novel Requiem for the status quo.
I have held three author events since my novel’s release back in July and I have more planned before the end of the year. At the senior centers and independent bookstores where my events are hosted, each person attending is certainly there in support of my efforts, but more importantly, I believe their presence honors my father’s story, a story without a happy ending.
Here’s an excerpt from my novel that speaks of my fictional characters’ dilemma, but it also mirrors that which occurred in my real life experience with Alzheimer’s.
If it’s true that cancer is no respecter of persons, it is equally true that Alzheimer’s disease exhibits the same lack of respect. This disease is a murderer and I’m troubled by the millions of crimes it has gotten away with.
Alzheimer’s is also a robber, not only because it robs a person of his or her memories and future, but also because it exacts an emotional price that few can afford. To be sure, monetary costs are a challenging force to be reckoned with, but many family caregivers and their loved ones would no doubt conclude that the emotional toll on a person far surpasses even the costliest of care fees paid.
Until the person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia becomes blissfully unaware of the disease that is murdering him, he has a front row seat to all that is happening. My dad was the first to know when his senior moments became more than a quirk of the aging process. It grieves me to imagine what he went through when he was alone with his thoughts, witnessing first hand where those thoughts were taking him.
Yes, my father had a front row seat to the effects of a disease that is always fatal. Until he eventually became blissfully unaware, he lived with that fact every single day. If the caregiver thinks she or he has been dealt a bad hand in relation to Alzheimer’s, imagine if you possibly can how that hand plays out with the person diagnosed with the disease. I don’t know about you, but my imagination in such matters paints a picture I’d rather not see.
My very real reward for writing my novel is that my father is honored as a result of my efforts. Additionally, it is my sincere hope that those reading my novel and attending my author events manage to discover that they have a cheerleader in their corner…me.
Lighten up Mondays
I’m in a book kind of mood, having had a most successful author event at a local bookstore this past Saturday. Here’s some reading and book humor to start off the week.
- Each time you open a book and read it, a tree smiles knowing there’s life after death.
- I’m not addicted to reading. I can quit as soon as I finish one more chapter.
- Friend: “Why read when you can just watch the movie?” Me: “Why breathe when you’re just gonna die anyway?”
- Never judge a book by its movie.
- When something goes wrong in your life, just shout, “Plot twist!” and move on.
- I’m a bookaholic on the road to recovery…just kidding, I’m on the road to the bookstore.
- You know you’re a bookworm when your ultimate goal in life is to have your own special library in your house.
- Be careful about reading health books, you may die of a misprint.
- The great American novel has not only already been written, it has already been rejected.
I had to add that last bit of humor because it’s more realistic to an author than anything else on this Earth.
Kindness Fridays
A bit unusual post on my part.
I have a medical condition – going on 2 years – for which no medical professional has provided a solution.
This condition has caused 8 nights of no sleep due to its symptoms in the last 6 weeks alone, and many other sleepless nights in the past 24 months. We cancelled a trip September 2015 because of it.
The most recent episode had me calling the specialist office to reach the on-call doctor this past Sunday. He is not my normal specialist but he provided a treatment that two of his own fellow physicians were not able to provide for the past 2 years.
Today I celebrate the kindness of a medical professional who took the time, on a Sunday, to prescribe the right treatment for me. He is my new specialist. Quite frankly, he is my medical hero.
This was and is a kindness that has made a huge difference in my health.
Lighten up Mondays
I’m in the mood for some medical humor, so here goes:
Q: What’s the difference between a general practitioner and a specialist?
A: One treats what you have, the other thinks you have what he treats.
*****
The best doctor in the world is the veterinarian. He can’t ask his patients what is the matter – he’s got to just know.
– Will Rogers
*****
A patient arrived at the Emergency Room at 0400 with no complaints: “I have been having chest pain for 4 months but I am not having chest pain now. The reason I’m here now is because I heard that 4am is the best time to come cause there are not that many people. ”
*****
My friend is a Botox junkie—she can’t stop getting the injections. But surprisingly, when I reminded her to get her flu shot, she shuddered. “I hate needles,” she said. I had a solution: “Just pretend it will make your arm look younger.”
*****
Visiting the psych ward, a man asked how doctors decide to institutionalize a patient.
“Well,” the director said, “we fill a bathtub, then offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient, and ask him to empty the tub.”
“I get it,” the visitor said. “A normal person would use the bucket because it’s the biggest.”
“No,” the director said. “A normal person would pull the plug.”
Community discussion on Alzheimer’s disease
Saturday, August 26th, 3 pm
I am excited about my next author event which will take place at Book Tree in Kirkland, Washington.
Book Tree is a fabulous, quaint, neighborhood bookstore that truly excels at bringing the community together.
Here’s the content of their website’s About section:
BookTree is a vibrant gathering place for the exchange of ideas, and discussion of books and the literary arts. It is a place where all are welcome to continue their journey, expand their knowledge, feed their interests and further their education through books and literature. It is a place for families to find and enjoy the best of current literature. A place where our customers can hear local and traveling writers, authors and poets present their work.
BookTree is one of the few remaining independent bookstores on the Eastside that will be an important part of our city’s identity. It will be successful because of the generous support of our community who values a stand-alone retail bookstore.
BookTree is owned by 2 people who are passionate about the inherent value of books, reading, writing, listening and sharing diverse ideas, and viewpoints.
I hope to see you on the 26th!
Kindness Fridays
This week’s kindness places a spotlight on a primary person in my life who has supported me on my road to publication. If ever there was a kindness a debut author might covet, encouragement and unfailing belief in the writer’s abilities, goes a long, long way.
My husband, Jerry, lived through my Alzheimer’s caregiving experience with my father. He was on the receiving end of each one of my crying bouts and frustrations and always offered sage advice when none could be found within my own fractured psyche. When I announced I was thinking of writing a novel, he backed me 100%: reading portions and offering honest input such as telling me that the way I had written the male characters didn’t sound like the way a male character would act or talk. That was such valuable advice because my debut novel’s characters are equally split between male and female. Although my novel could fall into the Women’s Fiction genre, that is not the only audience for which it was written.
Quite simply, my husband enabled me – in a very healthy way – to accomplish what I have accomplished: the publication of Requiem for the status quo; a five year journey with a decidedly happy ending.
Cheers to the best man I could ever hope to spend my life with.
Lighten up Mondays
Here are some great football jokes in honor of this past weekend’s pre-season start:
Three fans were talking about the sad state of their local football team:
The first fan blamed…: “I blame the manager; if we could sign better players, we’d be a great team.”
The second fan blamed…: “I blame the players; if they made more effort, I’m sure we would score more touchdowns.”
The third fan blamed…: “I blame my parents; if I had been born in a different town, I’d be supporting a decent team.”
*****
Q: Why do coaches like punters?
A: Because punters always put their best foot forward.
Q. Why do ducks fly over Gillette Stadium upside down?
A. There’s nothing worth pooping on.
Q: Which football player wears the biggest helmet?
A: The one with the biggest head.
Q: What’s the difference between the San Francisco 49ers and a dollar bill?
A: You can still get four quarters out of a dollar bill.
GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!
Interview of fellow BRW author: Matthew Brockmeyer
I’m always thrilled to promote fellow authors, especially those who have the same publisher as myself: Black Rose Writing.
Another author, Rebecca Howie, who interviewed me on July 16th, provides this wonderful peek into the world that Matthew Brockmeyer has created in his novel. I hope you’ll investigate what he’s up to!
Free Booksy giving away my novel for free!
My debut novel is ranked #1 in all free books available in the Alzheimer’s disease category. Just a few hours remain to get my novel Requiem for the status quo for free as a Kindle book. Giveaway ends at the end of the day, August 12th. Look closely, the cost is $0.00.
Free Booksy is sponsoring this giveaway. Even when my book is purchased for free, it has a positive impact on my book’s ranking on Amazon.
What are you waiting for?
Meet the authors on Facebook — MARY K. TILGHMAN WRITES
Please say you’ll come…. I am hosting a Facebook Meet the Author Party this coming Tuesday at 7 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) It’s all online so you can “come as you are.” What’s a Facebook party, you ask? It’s a way to collect people who’d like to meet right there on Facebook. Everybody comes to […]
Kindness Fridays
Very briefly, I’ll relay a kindness that was gifted me earlier this week.
I entered an elevator in a business building occupied by two other patrons from higher floors. People who share an elevator with me are always caught unawares because I’m one of those annoying people who talk to others in elevators while the rest of the general population pretends they are invisible as they hover in the corner.
This older gentleman – older than me by at least ten years – had on the brightest green sneakers…there was no way I wouldn’t compliment him on his choice of footwear. He explained that he wears those sneakers when he’s riding his bike through the streets of Seattle – plus lots of lights and flashers – because he doesn’t want to end up as a bicyclist pancake on the street.
We arrived at the Lobby floor, much to the delight of the other, non-talkative elevator occupier, and I extended my hand for her, and the older gentleman to leave, after all, they occupied the elevator prior to me. That is the unwritten right of passengers.
No. That was not to be the case. The older gentleman waved me ahead of himself because he still maintained the courtesy of letting women go first.
That’s all; that’s my kindness, and it was delightful.
I’d love to see you on Thursday, August 17th!
Just one week from today, I will hold my first author reading event and you can be front and center to witness it!
I hope those of you who live in the greater Puget Sound region of Washington State will be able to wend your way to Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park for my 7 pm event. It’s really, really close to Bothell and Kenmore, and not at all far from Redmond, Kirkland, and Bellevue.
Be sure to allow ample driving time…not only will people be in a rush to get home after their work day, but they’ll probably be clamoring to get to Lake Forest Park for my 7 pm event. 😉
Lighten up Mondays
Because I’m in a grandparent-ty mood, today’s funnies focus on children:
- What do you get when you cross a baby with soldiers? Infantry.
- What is a baby? A small human that makes a lot of noise at one end and has no sense of responsibility at the other.
- What does a baby computer call his father? Data.
- A worried mother does better research than the FBI.
- Shower Schizophrenia: The constant belief that you hear a baby crying when you’re trying to take a shower.
- I see all these moms who can do everything, and then I think, “I should have them do stuff for me.”
- My parents accused me of lying today. I looked at them and said, “Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny” and walked away like a boss.
- I haven’t been able to get my kids to pay attention to anything I’ve said all day, so I’m gonna sit here and pretend I’m on the phone. That should do it…or try to sneak-eat a candy bar or read a book…same result.
Kindness Fridays
Today’s kindness takes yet another turn: I simply cannot not write about our grandson, Lucas.
Lucas came into our world on May 11th, 2017. His parents were already a blessing in our lives and when their family increased by one, the blessings increased exponentially.
He just turned twelve weeks old and let me tell you, his personality is coming through very clearly.
If you’re me, you talk a lot.
If you’re my grandson Lucas, you’re subjected to all that talking.
Just as is the case with every human being out there, when he’s had his fill of my jabbering, he’ll let me know that his Grandma Olson talking threshold has been reached – for the time being – but before that happens, he gifts me with smiles and conversation to beat the band.
What a reward it is to have an impact on a young person’s life and when that young person is now able to gift others with smiles, funny faces, and “language”, my oh my, that’s a gift of kindness of greater value than all the riches in the world.
Online purchases: whether cotton balls or books, customer reviews are a must!
If a book doesn’t have any reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers’ sites, does it really exist?
It does, but to potential readers, no reviews may equate to a risky purchase. Let’s face it, you can hardly purchase a bag of cotton balls online without having dozens – if not hundreds – of reviews to peruse prior to consider pushing that all important BUY button.
The same goes for books, but even more than that, an author’s literary credibility is tied in with author and sales rankings and reviews are part of what feeds those rankings. Authors aren’t getting rich on their craft, and that is certainly not my goal. What is my goal, however, is that many people read my novel and at its end, they feel they’re better off having done so.
If you have read REQUIEM FOR THE STATUS QUO, won’t you please post a review on three of the sites for which said reviews are very important? Here’s the link for Amazon, and for Barnes & Noble, and for Goodreads. But fear not; you do not need to write a unique review for each of those sites, simply write a review on Amazon, for example, then copy and paste it into the review sections for the other sites. Easy peasy. And many, many thank you to those who have already posted your reviews. You have fed my soul and made my day.
AND IF YOU’RE ONLY GOING TO POST A REVIEW ON ONE SITE, PLEASE MAKE IT AMAZON.
If you have yet to purchase my novel…please consider doing so. And if you have a copy but have yet to read it, please remember my shameless begging in this post and submit a review once you have. Please, no mention of your relationship to me…absolutely not necessary and it’s advisable, from Amazon standards, that you don’t.
My plea for reviews isn’t my attempt at stroking my flaccid ego, no, it’s merely my efforts at making my novel more attractive to the person looking for a book on the subject, and when they purchase and read it, and they are impacted in a positive way by my words and my experience, then all that has lead up to this time will have been worth it.
The secret of Alzheimer’s disease
I discovered something shocking during the weeks that followed my novel’s release:
Alzheimer’s disease is still a secret.
I know; we’ve all certainly read about it, especially when a celebrity is diagnosed with the disease. Every once and awhile there might be an Alzheimer’s Association commercial on television…that is assuming we don’t fast forward through it or walk out of the room. Another reason we’re familiar with the disease is that it is happening to so many people with whom we are acquainted – whether intimately or tangentially.
But it’s still a secret. The very definition of the word speaks to its intent: adj. not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others; n. something not properly understood; a mystery. from the Concise Oxford English Dictionary
In many of my promotional posts and boasts for my novel Requiem for the status quo, I’ve indicated that my book tour would probably look more like a senior center tour than what is normally the route for authors: readings and signings in major and independent bookstores. That’s the tact I took, approaching numerous senior centers in Western Washington. 25% of those I approached booked my author event on their activity calendars. But when I approached a major senior housing community foundation to get on their speakers’ calendar, I was told the residents pushed back at the foundation’s previous efforts to enlighten and inform when they hosted those who spoke to the reality of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.
Lighten up Mondays
The following funnies came directly from a BuzzFeed page poking fun at book nerds:
- He said, “Books or me.” I sometimes remember him when I’m buying new books.
- I like big books and I can not lie.
- A cartoon shows a husband and wife sitting in their reading chairs with an open book on each of their laps…but their chair tables were empty. “We forgot our reading glasses.” Lo’ and behold, a glass of red wine appeared on each of their tables in the next frame.
And here are a few from JokeQuote.com:
- The great thing about books is that there are no commercials.
- Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. – P.J. O’Rourke
- I took a speed-reading course and read War and Peace in twenty minutes. It involves Russia. – Woody Allen
- One trouble with developing speed reading skills is that by the time you realize a book is boring you’ve already finished it.
– Franklin P. Jones - Sure reading a book under a tree is peaceful but imagine how stressful it is for the tree to see a bunch of it’s dead friends in your hand.
– Kyle Lippert - Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers. – Harry S Truman
Indie Interview
So very grateful to Rebecca Howie, the author who interviewed me in a July 16th post on her blog. Here’s another interview that she so generously conducted of an author who writes younger-person books.
Kindness Fridays
Okay, today’s Kindness Friday is going to look a lot like another shameless effort on my part to promote by novel, Requiem for the status quo, and it is, but there’s lots of kindness wrapped up in it.
My very first author event will take place at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, WA on August 17, 2017. I dropped off my promotional poster that they’ll be using prior to and day of, and lo’ and behold, did I receive a welcome surprise when I walked into the store.
There, at the front of the store along with other authors’ announcements was my own announcement that the staff put into place. See it on the far left in front?
ALSO, on a kiosk just inside the door are announcements for every author in the month of August who will be holding a reading. And whose book do you think was found on that kiosk just waiting for someone to notice and purchase it?
Mine.
If that isn’t kindness, I don’t know what is.
And just in case you’re wondering, my novel is available where all fine books are sold, including Amazon (who now offers it in eBook version) and Barnes and Noble. Other eRetailers will be offering eBook format in the weeks ahead.
Buster and Moo, on #LisaBurtonRadio
Yet again, Craig Boyack and a guest author really hit an interview out of the park. Great job everyone!
Welcome to this week’s edition of Lisa Burton Radio. I’m your host, Lisa the robot girl, and with me in the studio today is a beautiful Jack Russel, Stafforshire cross known alternately as Buster and Moo. “Welcome to the show, and how would you like me to refer to you?”
“Is it okay to lick you, Lisa? I kind of have this thing about holding out my paw all the time and shaking it. Then if you don’t give me a treat I’m probably going to slobber into the microphone. What was the question? Oh, my name. Currently Moo.”
“How did you come to have two different names? Is one an alias of some kind?”
“Ha! Two names? I’ve had, let me see? Six? Maybe seven. There was the one my mother gave me, the one the guy who brought my dad to meet mum that time – she said…
View original post 1,818 more words
Lighten up Mondays
My husband and I hike every week in the gloriously beautiful Pacific Northwest region of Washington state. Here are some actual complaints received by Forest Rangers:
- A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed?
- Escalators would help on steep uphill sections. (I have to say, I’ve joked about this while on the trail. While descending the mountain and encountering others struggling up, I’ll oftentimes say, “Oops, did you miss the sign to the escalator? Would have been much easier for you.”)
- Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands.
- Found a smouldering cigarette left by a horse.
- Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill.
- Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests.
- Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them.
- The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.
- Need more signs to keep area pristine.
- A McDonald’s would be nice at the trailhead.
- Too many rocks in the mountains.
- The places where trails do not exist are not well marked.
Requiem characters’ radio interview
Craig Boyack, author and author supporter – yes, author supporter – conducted a radio interview of two of the characters from my debut novel, Requiem for the status quo.
Patrick Quinn, father of the protagonist, Colleen Strand, has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and he’s having a difficult time trying to figure out how not to be a burden to his daughter, Colleen. He’s friendly with the radio host, even joking about a part of the male body that withers and needs medicinal support and encouragement from time to time. (Don’t worry, it’s G-Rated, you have to read the context of the interview to fully appreciate the sense of humor this fine, eighty-four year old man exhibits, even in the midst of his disease journey.)
Jonathan Quinn, Patrick’s son, who’s not too keen on what has happened to the father whom he at one time looked up to. Yes, Jonathan is embarrassed by his father’s forgetfulness and seems to think his father’s challenges are all about him, Jonathan, instead of the person who has a front row seat to every twist and turn the plaques and tangles of his diseased brain takes. Jonathan is firmly implanted on the road to denial and sadly, it gets in the way of his relationship with his father.
The interviewer is a fictional character, Lisa Burton, a character in one of Craig Boyak’s novels. The interview takes place on her show, Lisa Burton Radio. This different way of interviewing an author, in this case, me, and spotlighting the author’s novel, is so ingenious, you will be taken aback by how effective Craig’s blogging methods are.
Please, read the interview, and when you’ve done so, I hope you’ll purchase my book from any of the many online and brick and mortar book stores out there, including Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Be sure to shop around for the best price, you won’t be sorry you did. And for those of you with eReaders, the eBook will also be available at most online book retailers on, or about, July 27th.
Dementia caregivers: 21st century heroes
Those family members who have had, or who currently have, a family member or close friend with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, you are my hero.
You took on the task of showing your love and compassion by signing up to become a family caregiver which at its best is a learn-as-you-go, long-term commitment. Your efforts make a difference in the life of your loved one. They may not be able to express their appreciation for all that you do, but please know that the essence of who they are acknowledges your kindness.
Your name and/or identity may be lost to them, but you are still a vital part of their lives, and your friendly and loving demeanor goes far toward affirming them and making them feel valued and loved.
Thank you for all that you have done, continue to do, and will remain doing in the future. It is an honor to be in your company.
Requiem for the status quo was released by Black Rose Writing on July 20th. You can order Requiem at Barnes & Noble and Amazon as well as all online and brick and mortar chain and independent bookstores. Be sure to shop around for the best price, you won’t be sorry you did. And for those of you with eReaders, the eBook will be available at most online book retailers on, or about, July 27th.
Living: the ultimate team sport 