2012 Alzheimer's Facts and Figures

Been around

I just looked at my blog and realized that it has been some time since I last entered anything. I certainly didn't mean it to be this long. Since I last wrote I have been to Tallahassee Florida and to Macon to a good friend's mother's funeral (RIP Mrs. Livingston). I've spoken to a few groups, been to some meetings in Atlanta and now my brother is visiting from Illinois. I've been busy. No excuse for not posting. Will do so soon.

A Good Day

Although I'm sore from my adventure yesterday, today was much brighter because I got to have lunch with my friend Ruby. How can you not smile when you look at her?

Interesting Day

First of all, if you haven't seen the new "Facts and Figures" out for Alzheimer's I hope you'll take a minute and visit www.alz.org. The new information is pretty staggering over just a year ago. It shows how much more work we all have to do.

This morning I was hit by a car -- not my car -- me! A lady hit me at a local grocery store parking lot and sent me into another car. Nothing broken, just sore tonight and I'm sure I'll have some bruises to show for it. But, the lady drove off! I know she had to know she hit me. There was a man there who helped me and by the time I got my brain in gear, she had gone and we didn't get her license plate.

Then this afternoon I attempted to play golf. That wasn't a good idea -- let's just say that I had a nice walk on a beautiful day.

Tomorrow will be better. I get to have lunch with some friends and their six month old little girl. I haven't seen her in a couple of months and I can't wait to hold her.

Kids

I have heard lately from several people who have come to realize how important their parents are. Taken their parents for granted all these years. I don't think I realized it until I became a parent myself. But, in the reverse, I hope that I don't take my son for granted -- I probably do but don't think about it. I do appreciate when he calls me out of the blue or sends me an email without wanting something. He's always been pretty good about that -- I am thankful for that. I don't tell him often enough how much that means to me and I should. We shouldn't wait to tell any of our friends or family how much they mean to us. Don't take it for granted. Be proactive. Appreciate everyone you know-- they all have a part in your life, whether a major one or not.

Friends

I don't know if it is normal or not to have friends come in and out of your life. I think perhaps it is but then I'm not sure. I guess all friendships have their "life cycle" if you will. After being first diagnosed a lot of my so called friends went away -- not being able to deal with it or not wanting to deal with it. So, I guess I'm always suspicious when I don't hear from a friend for awhile or I try to contact them or reach out to them and I get no response. How far do I take it? Or am I guilty of the same thing. If so, I want those to tell me so I can make it right. I realize some times that a friendship has run its course, but it would be nice to know that rather than wondering what you did to alienate that person. Maybe that is too much to ask -- maybe the sound of silence is all you need to know -- take your cue from it and move on.

New month

Yes, it has definitely been awhile since I posted. I have had so many things to post, just haven't been able to get them down into intelligible words for this post.

Just returned from Nashville Tennessee where I was at the SEC Women's basketball tournament. Our team didn't do too well, but it was a nice trip just the same. Thanks to my "keepers" while I was there -- Ralph didn't take the trip with me but I have great friends who watch out for me. I appreciate that so much.

I've had a lot of comments on the blog lately. Some I have posted, others not. I'm glad this is helping some or at least prompts some to ask some good questions and seek the answers. With ths disease you have to be dilligent as your doctos sometimes aren't. It shouldn't be that way but it is.

I've had several requests for speaking engagements coming up and I appreciate that. Bringing a personal perspective to this does add a different dimensions than most speakers can bring. If that helps to bring another side of the story to many, that's good. We need to do all we can to bring attention to Alzheimers.