Josh Green
Seattle, WA
My most fond memory of Grandma was the sheer fact she was present, a contributing member, and INVOLVED as much as she possibly could be – in each and every one of our lives. I am so fortunate to look back at all of the school assemblies, spelling bees, piano performances, baseball games, soccer games, and other events where Grandma was. She became a part of the event – no matter what the event was – anything from helping set-up Christmas treats at Angela’s house in Castle Rock, being the one to introduce grandkids to each other at family reunions, being the first to start singing “Happy Birthday” at a party, or leading the way during a trip to the museum, zoo, or other fun place. Everywhere we went could have been either of two things – drab and boring, or fun. Grandma made them FUN. Grandma exemplified what it meant to be a loving, caring, active participant in everyone’s lives. What I wouldn’t give for just one more moment…
John Gelroth
Colorado Springs, CO
Smile: An AF medic’s view of Alzheimer’s
To come home and be unknown is really quite a fright
To see the face of my mother engaged in a fight
To know as a medic might that this is a fight she will not win
And to wonder as a son would, what can I do know but watch and wait and live each day as if it is the last
While returning to duty and not know what and when news will come
And live with the knowledge that each day more of her is lost
To know that doctors have diagnosed a sentence of slow death
And know that each new drug or treatment merely buys a few more days
Of staving off a reaper, whilst leaving her further imprisoned in her mind
Of having to watch my father’s love and compassion and wonder if my own might falter in fear
And to wonder of other loved ones, as if we all might endure such a fate
To know what is ailing her and yet not understand how it came to be
While struggling to watch and learn from her as her mind retreats
And grow in understanding of the revealed layers of her soul
While God removes all pretense life brought to her
And reveals the gentle kind soul He gave to her that made her the loving woman that she was
And see the “smile” He saved in her to help us through our fear
And know that God’s plan is played out in this, even though we are often lost to how
Such a lovely Mom as ours would be striped bare in our sight
And bear a cross like Jesus bore to reveal to us our Sin
And impart to us one last lesson of the beauty that is life
That life is built in layers that we bear upon our Soul
And what we find important will be stripped away by time
But the Soul we have is His alone and is perfect unadorned.
Jake Green
Los Alamos, NM
My memory of my grandma will live on and her impact on my life will never fade. She was always one of my biggest supporters, and the greatest curator of the art and music in my life, teaching and encouraging me in all my pursuits. I love you Grandma, and will be forever grateful for your love, wisdom, and compassion. I wish we had more time together.