Retirement Party

I know I wrote in here a few weeks ago that I was dreading my retirement party. Well, the party was yesterday and it turned out great. It was a little overwhelming but I got through it. I think my biggest surprise is that my brother travelled from Illinois to be here to surprise me. My son knew that he was coming but I didn't. I was so surprised. The staff at work did a good job in keeping it low key and not a lot of speeches. It was truly a humbling experience seeing all the folks that came out to wish me well. It was awesome. I will write more later.

Loneliness

It's been said many times that Alzheimer's is a disease of loneliness. Loneliness in the sense that others don't realize what you are going through, loneliness in the sense that people around you don't know how to act or react so they don't and loneliness in the fact that you feel all alone -- no one can really do anything to help you. If you were ever the last one picked in gym class you can probably understand this. I see my friends and family going on about their lives and I can't participate or I sense they don't want me to because I can't contribute. I don't blame them...they aren't being cruel....it's just life these days.

President Reagan

died yesterday at the age of 93. He had Alzheimer's. I was always kind of indifferent to President Reagan never really feeling one way or another about him. When he announced 10 years ago he had the early stages of Alzheimer's, I remember feeling sorry for his family and wondering what they would have to go through in the years ahead. Needless to say, his death has had a bigger impact on me than I thought it would. I don't think I need to say anymore.

On a lighter note, some friends came from Illinois to see us this week. They drove the 12 hours or so, stayed a day, went to Atlanta for a day and drove home. That's friendship. It means so much to me that I have friends like that. It's hard for me to see them leave because I don't know when I will see them again or if by the time I do see them again whether I will remember them or not. So, I try to cherish the time I have with everyone not knowing what lies ahead.

As retirement approaches at the end of this month, my list of things I want to do grows longer. That's probably a good thing.