Treasures

​

While sitting and enjoying a peaceful morning, Melissa texted me that she was at my front door with a surprise. And what a surprise it was… Erica!

The three of us gals have known each other our entire lives, and both of these beautiful ladies are as close to little sisters as I’ll ever get. Yes, we know how fortunate we are to still jump for joy when we see each other. There’s something pretty special about friendships that have stood the test of time.

Once I told them my plans for a beach day, they quickly reshuffled their day and decided to join me. The beach has a way of nourishing the soul, almost as much as our visits together do. I haven’t written much about the heartbreak of Alzheimer’s, but this cruel disease has taken hold of my sweet friend, making each visit these days even more meaningful.

Alzheimer’s doesn’t just steal memories. Little by little, it can take away pieces of the person we have known and loved for years, and it affects families and friendships in ways that are difficult to put into words. That’s why Alzheimer’s awareness matters so much. We need to talk about this disease, learn about it, support those living with it and the people who care for them, and never forget that the person beneath the disease is still there.

And then there’s another piece of this that weighs on my heart. Erica and Melissa are cousins. When a disease like Alzheimer’s strikes someone in your own family, it’s hard not to wonder about the genetic connection and what it could mean for you. I can only imagine the fear that must cross Melissa’s mind from time to time...or always! There are so many unknowns, and that uncertainty can be frightening. It’s another reminder of why Alzheimer’s awareness, research, early conversations, and understanding family history are so important. We may not be able to predict the future, but knowledge gives us the opportunity to ask questions, seek information, and make informed choices.

Missy and I protect Erica from unnecessary questions, help her navigate simple tasks, and watching Missy hover over her like a mother hen absolutely fills my soul. There’s a gentle love and care that comes with a lifetime of friendship, and a deep connection that can cross barriers that this disease tries to break.

It was the kick in the ass I needed after a long week. All the stress and little things that had been weighing on me were immediately put into perspective. This disease is hard enough when it affects someone in their later years, but what the heck… not someone in her 50s. It feels terribly unfair, to say the least.

It’s been several years now, and as the disease progresses, more and more of our sweet gal slips away. But we embrace what is still there: her happiness, her beautiful smile, her joy when she hears good music and, yesterday, her absolute delight in collecting rocks and shells along the seashore.

There’s a saying that everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. How true that is. Alzheimer’s is a powerful reminder that we should be kinder to those we may not understand, listen a little more carefully, be patient, and be the friend we would want someone to be for us.

I have many blessings in my life, and Eri and Missy are right at the very top of the list. Yesterday wasn’t just a day at the beach; it was a reminder to treasure the moments we have, celebrate the person who is still here, and never take the gift of friendship for granted. Sometimes, the most meaningful memories are the ones we make together, even when one of us may not remember them tomorrow.

And maybe that’s the greatest gift of all: to keep making the memories, keep showing up, keep loving, and keep reminding someone that they are still seen, still valued, and still very much a part of our world.

“The heart remembers what the mind forgets.” — Unknown