Getting ready for the walk...

I just finished making this. I will be wearing it during the Alzheimer's Memory Walk in November, along with purple shoe laces, purple mardi gras beads, an Alzheimer's Association T shirt and a cap decorated with purple do dads (no pun intended).

I have listed those that I knew, or friend's loved ones, that once traveled the Alzheimer's journey...my dad, my Aunt Gini, Tom's Uncle Don, Renee's mom, Lori/Cindy's dad, and my college roommate's dad.

I've also listed those who continue to courageously live and do battle with Alzheimer's...my dad's friend, Janice's mom, Stan's mom, Emma's husband, and my neighbor's mom.

They, and their families, will all be in my thoughts and in my heart as we walk, as they are every day.

This is weird...

I glanced at the calendar...October 18th. A thought went through my mind..."they" should be getting to Florida pretty soon. I'll have to call "them".

"They and them" = my dad and his wife. They drove to Florida every year about this time for the winter. The last time they did was the winter before my dad came to my house. They never let anyone know when they left. They'd say they would be leaving "soon", and then all of a sudden, I couldn't get hold of them on the phone. Then, I'd try to estimate their arrival time and start calling the place in Florida. They never let anyone know when they arrived there. Thankfully, they always arrived safe and sound. But during that time of travel for them, I was always worrying.

This year, with autumn and the holidays approaching, I suspect I will be recalling our last ones together....hopefully, I'll think of the good stuff.