Posted 9/18/20
“For the needy will not always be forgotten, Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.” –Psalm 9:18
Hi all. Another week in the dumpster fire that is 2020 is nearly in the books. We are 3/4 of the way through this fine year and fall begins September 22nd. Have you broke out the pumpkin spice yet? The Christmas tree? I want to run into this season, not walk. I am sick of late winter, spring, and summer of 2020…I am ready for something new.
Can I share with you again some reasons why we will Walk to End Alzheimer’s tomorrow? Note here…this isn’t a fundraising blog. I do, every once in a while, hold out my little tin cup and I am super appreciative the many times folks donate to either the Alzheimer’s Association or SeniorAge. While that is a wonderful side-benefit, that is not the purpose of this blog and isn’t usually even a thing.
Here are some reasons why I walk:
- Walking is Slower- Even in this hectic, crazy year, it seems like it is flying by. I need time…and you need time…to reflect on this disease. To remember “the old mom” and to praise the Lord for the “new mom” and all of her wonderful attributes. This 30 minutes of walking could be a new catalyst to remembering that.
- For prayer- It is a good time to quietly walk and pray for a cure….for treatments..for culture to stop sacrificing seniors on the altar of convenience or pride or whatever else we/they do it on. Be thankful, friends. God has blessed you richly regardless how it feels today. Every breath is a gift. Pray also for the COVID-19 pandemic to stop picking off our natural treasures. Pray for government and leaders everywhere. Pray for you and for me and for all of us. Pray pray pray….
- For advocacy- This year will be a tad different. Instead of several thousand purple-clad folks at the Springfield Walk and several hundred at the smaller ones I attend, there will be several thousand small walks. There is still strength in numbers… Please, if you feel led, throw on the purple, make a sign, and walk. Also, watch the virtual promise garden presentation nearby. It is truly special. There is sooooo much misinformation out there. There are no cures, nor life-extending treatments. (This looks promising as a treatment possibility).
- For the families- I walk because there are millions of families in the world in the same boat as we are. We need a cure. We need treatments. We need research. We need respite help. We need volunteers. We need to get the word out. In a little way, the walk will help.
- For the soon-to-be newly initiated (by fire)- These folks will find the Alzheimer’s Association, the Area Agency on Aging, my and other blogs…but slowly. These organizations need brochures, employees, advertisements, and money to be more visible. Most everyone I meet in this arena has the deer-in-the-headlights look because of a gap in experience or previous misinformation. I walk so they can find out good info faster.
- For mom and the Sweet 17- Mom was a walker. I typically refuse to use mom statements in the past tense, but in this case it is fitting. Mom’s walking days are long over, as she is wheelchair enthroned. Mom, from as far back as I remember, would walk by herself and with me or the kids. She would always bring a bag or two: one for trash…she hates a messy neighborhood….and the second to pick up rocks and other cool things she would find. She loves to walk along the lakeside and pick up driftwood and rocks and she passed that to her kids and grandkids. She would also make crafts out of some of her prizes, something she also passed on to us all…When she was diagnosed, she walked even more. Walking is great and walking for this cause is even greater.
#EndALZ
Update: I found out overnight that mom tested positive for COVID-19. She doesn’t show symptoms and has no fever. I also found out another of the Sweet 17 passed away. (Mrs. W if you want to look at the old pieces that talked more about them.) Mom is moved to a new ward that is more isolated with plexiglass and space-suit wearing folks. I am sure that will help with her confusion. 🙁 But I have no way to help beyond praying and Walking…and tomorrow morning I will do both yet again.
Want to donate to my team? Here is the link 🙂
https://act.alz.org/site/TR?px=14575499&pg=personal&fr_id=13572
