Why I Walk… Peggy’s story – Alzheimer’s
I walk to honor my mother, June Martino. She would have been 82 years old. I had to stop and think about that for a minute. Mom used to fib about her age so much, it was hard for me to keep track. She never looked her age and saw no reason to share its truth. She remained beautiful to the end, but Alzheimer’s changes everything. It takes and takes, but it didn’t get her heart.
Why I Walk…Peggy’s story
I walk to honor my mother, June Martino. She would have been 82 years old. I had to stop and think about that for a minute. Mom used to fib about her age so much, it was hard for me to keep track. She never looked her age and saw no reason to share its truth. She remained beautiful to the end, but Alzheimer’s changes everything. It takes and takes, but it didn’t get her heart. The essence and the soul of her were always there. I was lucky to be given so many moments that I treasure and hold on to, especially on those days when sadness threatens to overtake. Those moments are life-giving. With all its challenges, Alzheimer’s brings out the best and the worst in all involved. It hits at the emotional core. For me, it taught the beauty of unconditional sacrificial love; the sweetest, purest kind.
Life changes – it has to. We are called upon to role reverse, to make difficult choices, to live its stages – alternate between hope and despair – and on the toughest of days, pray to land somewhere in the middle. The Alzheimer’s Association pointed me in the direction of invaluable support groups. There is strength and purpose in being with people who know what you are going through. Everyone is at a different stage, but in sharing, we know what to expect, it is less frightening and you don’t feel quite so alone.
Though everyone’s story is different, there are commonalities… the wandering, hoarding, layering, sundowning and extreme changes in personality. For the caregiver, the underlying themes are the same… sadness, compassion, empathy and despair. We get so tired of the decline and what each step down the ladder means. Aren’t we tired of this disease? Isn’t it time for it to be over? The cure is out there. I walk to fund and find it.
My mother was my best friend. I miss her every day. It would seem that everything I do cycles back or is connected to something she taught me or that we did together. She faced this disease with courage and strength. But don’t they all? I met so many brave, valiant souls. I walk for all of them. How frightening it must be to not know what is happening, to have your world get smaller and smaller, and have so much of it consumed with change. For most, the journey with Alzheimer’s involves tests, hospitals, nursing homes, a variety of doctors and caregivers; a loss of all that is familiar. I am telling Moms story through creative, artistic windows: ALZHEIMER’S. A WINDOW INSIDE. OUR STORY.
When Mom was first diagnosed I had a telling dream…it showed her, this once vibrant woman, just sitting and staring out a window. It was chilling, but it is the story of Alzheimer’s. We all have our story windows. In writing about the windows we lived together and those that I am living now, I am healing and trying to help others. I walk because this is my window of opportunity to make a difference. Every day we are given choices — what to do with our time, our money, and our passion — the wise choice is always one of the heart. There is a cure out there. We must find it for all those that still suffer and for all of us that wonder and fear that we could be next.
My mother is free today and whole. I will see her again one day in heaven and that will be for eternity. God was good. He was there, walking in front, alongside, and in back of us throughout our 10 year journey. (Philippians 4:13) May I ask, that when we see the color purple – anywhere, let’s use that as a prompt to pray for those that still suffer and for those that love them. Thank you for giving me the privilege of sharing Mom with you. I leave you with a window of hope. There is always hope. Each new sunrise gives us reason to hope. This could be the day! With one hand raised towards heaven, I will join others September 25th on Chicago’s lakefront to walk and find the cure. Lord, may it be so. Happy Birthday mama. I miss you every day. Every day I miss you. Love you!
Walk to End Alzheimer’s would not be possible without the support of our fantastic volunteers. We count on the invaluable contribution of time and energy of our dedicated volunteers to make the event a success. Sign up today and let us know how you’d like to help! – See more at: https://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/enewsletter/weekly/2016/sept/01/Walk.asp#sthash.NSI03NaT.dpuf
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