Memory Walk 2005 - My Reason to Hope

October 22, 2005 - The Annual Memory Walk for Alzheimer's.

This year was a year of giving, totally. I started my campaign with a prayer and one thought in mind, raising money to help further the research in finding a cure for Alzheimers. It is on behalf of my mom that I participate in this event.

The day of the walk was gloomy, drizzly. My husband and I wrapped my mom with three jackets and a blanket, and a hat, and pushed her the 3miles in her wheelchair round the Hollywood Park Race track. My daughter and her three kids joined on this walk. It was awesome. Mom was fine with it, smiling, no complaints, loved the coffee (didn't like the hot dogs).

It's amazing how giving people are, especially when the cause hits close to home; a mom, dad, grandparent, other relative, close friend. And what's more, doors open. Doors to avenues of support and sharing. Sharing with others your experiences, hearing theirs, gaining ideas for dealing and coping with the challenges of caring for a person who has this disease.

I have a friend who I met through an Alzheimer's forum. I can't tell you how much it has helped me in talking with her, as she went through years of this disease with her Dad.

After someone finds out you have someone who is fighting that disease, it is like they are drawn to you and you to them. Suddenly, you are no longer going through this alone. You have others who are going through the same or have been. Just having that listening ear, that support and understanding was enough. But there are bonuses because each has their own ideas or ways in which they have dealt with certain challenges. By sharing these, we help each other.

But the giving - which is what I wanted to note here, knocked my socks off. I prayed for God's leading in this event prior to sending all my emails asking for support. Let me tell you, he brought the multitudes.

Oh ye (me) of little faith, I started my campaign with a goal of $800. By the day of the event, I had raised my goal twice and raised over $1300. This may seem like a drop in the bucket, but it was such a great accomplishment for me and overwhelmed me at how people responded. I expected nothing when I sent the emails, except that those who were called to give, would.

Mom is my reason to hope. And although at the stage she is at in her dementia, there is no turning back, ....there is hope for others. And her heart for caring for others, lives in us, her family. And for that reason, we continue to hope and support and move forward in our fight for a cure.