How Memory Works with Alzheimer's and Dementia | Alzheimer's Reading Room

How Memory Works with Alzheimer's and Dementia | Alzheimer's Reading Room

A Sip of His grace...

Our shoulders often falter under a constant weight of performance and duty. We get caught up in the hectic cycle of endless tasks and often end up finding our lives to be a barren wasteland of burdens. We ask half-heartedly for a sip of His grace, never fully expecting Him to listen and answer. Yet Jesus wants us to come for a bottomless lake of His mercy, joy, fun, love, forgiveness, power, beauty, adventure, and freedom. He desires to give us eyes to see every moment from His perspective, looking out with a view over all of eternity—and seeing the stark difference between what really matters and what will soon pass.

Quote from, Hope For The Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson                   

~A VISIT WITH ANNIE~ with video update

One Last Visit

Annie was one of the ladies that worked in the GCC nursery when my husband and I began attending there in 1976.  When my children were babies, she took them into the room with open arms and gave them that Dutch accent charm.  She made two of the girls a pink crocheted blanket which they took with them every where.

One Crocheted Blanket

  She used to bake cookies and bring them with her for her helpers and others began to help themselves.  She loved to sing and her husband, Hank, made the wooden cross that is behind the choir loft.  I spent some time with her today and I do not know who was blessed more, her or me.

A Bemused Expression

Dec.2, 2015 videos up loaded to this blog.
This was our last visit with her before she passed away.
As you see that my husband has a bemused expression on his face as she shared one story after another.  I was able to capture a few of those short stories. 

Early onset Alzheimer's

Early onset Alzheimer's        This is a very good article and the spiritual lessons we can learn through those who have AD are many.  Read for yourself.

I Have Been Young: A Few Days Early - A Love Story

I Have Been Young: A Few Days Early - A Love Story: As I was leaving on my errands yesterday, Becky and Karl said..."We're going to let Gary rest up this morning, because we want him to be be ...

I Have Been Young: A.B.C.'s

I Have Been Young: A.B.C.'s: Karl and Becky at Friendly Valley These are two very special people.  Karl and Becky come twice a week to help Gary while I run err...

My Life's Best Blessings

Checking out the mighty oaks in Friendly Valley on one of our adventures.

Collecting a moss sample

My life's best blessings have often emerged during  my care giving ministry.  I have recently been challenged to view some of these blessings through the eyes of gratitude.  As a recipient of some of those blessings, I have tremendous praise for being included in the Prices personal life journey.                     What makes this ministry so adventurous is that even in the discouraging moments if offers unexpected flashes of joy.  Attempts to avoid difficulties or mishaps may strike as intruders with the need to allow God to use a situation to make us more like Him.                       It was recently someone relayed the fact that AD is like a cat with nine lives.  "Each life being different from the last, but each offering much love and comfort."  So with this perspective in mind, it is a reminder that all of our lives are consistently changing in one way or another.  Each change is a challenge to "being on the lookout" for the blessings of the moment.                     As a CAREGIVER, I am creating memories for myself as well as others in my life.   Someone said, "The opportunity to create joy dwindles so be content with the time you spend with those you are caring for."             THE UNEXPECTED GIFTS:  Delight in ordinary things & events, accepting life as it unfolds, living in the moment, valuing little steps, letting go of expectations, focusing on the simple, the surprise of the unexpected, anticipation of outcome.        One of the greatest assets to be grateful for is the ability to look through a child's eyes...and embrace the child that they are.    TO GOD BE THE GLORY, Great things He has done.

Growing Old Together...A love poem

Poems by / from poet Perry Biggerstaff best love poem famous poets PERRY BIGGERSTAFF

Activities for People with Alzheimer’s disease

Activities for People with Alzheimer’s diseaseThis is a wonderful site with a bunch of many ideas for activities.  You need to know your loved one well and may have to adapt some to the skill level and AD level.

Bags of familiar objects help those with dementia to reduce anxiety

Bags of familiar objects help those with dementia to reduce anxiety

You’re Looking at Me Like I Live Here and I Don’t | Documentary about Alzheimer's | Independent Lens | PBS

You’re Looking at Me Like I Live Here and I Don’t | Documentary about Alzheimer's | Independent Lens | PBS

Alzheimer’s Disease and Religion: A Collaboration Between Neuroscience and Theology at Boston University | Alzheimer's Reading Room

Alzheimer’s Disease and Religion: A Collaboration Between Neuroscience and Theology at Boston University | Alzheimer's Reading Room          This looks like an interesting site to visit.