Author Archives: admin

Shared Memories

Posted on February 28, 2020 by admin

Last week I made a Facebook announcement for Cindy’s birthday, calling her my Expedition Woman. I am proud of Cindy, a woman who has hiked thousands of long distance miles, but that pales in comparison to the pride Cindy has … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Journeys, Live Fully | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Becoming Friends with Strangers

Posted on February 1, 2020 by admin

Charissa comes to visit on most Fridays, making that a day I can go outside by myself for exercise. My usual route takes me up to the top of Lovers Lane and back, about four miles. The second mile is … Continue reading →

Posted in Brain Health, Caregiver Journal, Journeys, Love Kindness, Social Health | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Yes, No and Uh-huh

Posted on January 24, 2020 by admin

“Are you hungry?” I asked before leaving our “bedroom” to make breakfast. “Yes,” she replied in her barely audible manner these days. Cindy responds to a question occasionally, though not very often. In fact, she infrequently makes any verbal sounds … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Journal, Healthy Living | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

New Year’s Directions

Posted on January 17, 2020 by admin

Rather than New Year’s Resolutions I believe in New Year’s Directions. A new direction for me this year is the lack of direction in Cindy’s decline. For the start of the past few years I was uncertain whether Cindy would … Continue reading →

Posted in Brain Health, Caregiver Journal | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

A Caregiver’s Canary

Posted on December 15, 2019 by admin

Towards the end of my first thru-hike I encountered a coal-miner, also nearing the end of his thru-hike. We took a break and chatted awhile, as back in the seventies thru-hikers encountered each other much less than they do now. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Brain Health | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Sleep Tight

Posted on November 27, 2019 by admin

“Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite. If they bite, squeeze them tight and save the blood for another night.” I fondly recall my father saying that to me at bedtime, delivering the last line with an impish … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story | Tagged | 5 Comments

When a Simple “Yeah” Will Do

Posted on November 1, 2019 by admin

We may have gone for our last long outing of the year. Our adult stroller may allow us to continue on shorter outings as late fall and winter arrives, but I will have to balance the health advantages of being … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Stages of Decline | Tagged | 4 Comments

Our Downstairs Routine

Posted on October 18, 2019 by admin

4:12 am – I am awake. Whether Cindy woke me or not I seldom know for sure, but I do know she appears agitated, which sometimes occurs around this time of night. Her hospital bed does not align seamlessly with … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Vignettes | Tagged | 7 Comments

Live Each Event as Your Last

Posted on September 26, 2019 by admin

On Thursday, September 19, Cindy and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary. I planned to make this day special by pushing Cindy in the stroller up the old wagon road to the peak of Haystack Mountain. From there I would carry … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Vignettes | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Stroller and Kirk Junior

Posted on August 29, 2019 by admin

Everything is in place now from our move downstairs. Most mornings I transfer Cindy from the hospital bed in our “bedroom” to enjoy the outdoors on our porch. Facilitating this transfer is our new door to the porch that Cindy’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Vignettes | Tagged | 3 Comments