Personal Story: My Mom & Alzheimer's

I'm thinking about my mom today because it is her birthday. She would have turned 91 years old today. She died this month in 1995 at the age of 65. So young. Alzheimer's. It robs you of so many things. Once active working, playing golf, tennis, and mahjong she stopped all activity, stopped driving, stopped cooking and stopped being engaged with the family. She would smile and giggle. As the disease progressed she would often become moody and angry.

I recall one afternoon in particular. We were both sitting on the sofa and I was polishing my mom's fingernails. All of a sudden she looked up at me and said, "I'm going to die." I said mom we are all going to die one day and again she repeated "I'm going to die." I asked her if she was afraid and she said no. Less than a month later she suffered a stroke and became unresponsive. She passed away peacefully with family by her side. Alzheimer's is a thief and it steals away those that are so precious to you. Love you mom.