A Walk to End Alzheimer's

This past week end I did a " Walk to End Alzheimer's. This is the first time I have ever participated in anything like this. I donate to many good charity's but just have never tried doing  any thing such as a race or walk. I have bad knees, back, and also  asthma, and  some days just know it would be impossible to walk far. Our son-in-law had signed up to walk with our local Senior Center team. I figured if he can do this after a massive heart attack in  early June and 4 heart surgeries since that I could do it. It was a two  mile walk  or a short walk of 1/4 mile. We did the short one and both felt so good we started off on the 2 mile walk. My dear hubby decided and told me  after we got there he was going to also walk with us. I had thought he was going to take us and go shopping and then come back to get us. What a nice surprise when he said he wanted to walk with us.

It was a beautiful fall day. Leaves just starting to change and the park they were in was beautiful. Funny I have lived in this area for 33 years and had heard this park mentioned several times but had never been there. I decided this was a place I would loved spending more time at.  The program to start the event was nice. One of the Seniors gave a talk on " Living with Alzheimer's" He and his wife have been married 62 years and he has been caring for her throughout her illness. I do not know how he ever did the talk he did.  There was not a dry eye in the crowd. He had to stop a few times himself to gain his composure. To hear some of the things he has and is still going through tore at my heart strings. I have known he and his wife for about 7 years now and they are two of the most caring and loving people I have ever had the privilege to know.

Seeing how Alzheimer's affects not only the person with it but the family and friends of the person really makes a person thankful for good health. As Bob said, Alzheimer's does not effect just the elderly but can effect the young, middle age, man or woman. It takes over your life. He stressed how important these three words are. " I Love You"  and he said make sure you make plenty of memories as some day memories will be all you have.

I thought I would share some of the pictures I took  while walking " Walk to End Alzheimer's"...

These are many of our Seniors from the Senior Center Walk Team. This was during the opening program.

                           Part of the crowd milling around before opening ceremony.

                         My son-in-law Frank and Hubby George.

                       Waiting at bridge to start the walk

First group to cross the bridge. We each had flowers to toss in the water in memory of those who have lost their fight to Alzheimer's.

                    A few of the flowers tossed over to the water.

      Crossing over one of the bridges. Beautiful area of the walk. Just  so peaceful.

We took our time as you can tell. We were in no hurry at all. And we did not even bring up the end. There were several behind us  enjoying the beauty of the park.

This was the first walk for our area and they are planning on making it an annual event. I was surprised at the end of the walk I felt better than I had in weeks. I must have needed the beauty and quietness of nature to revitalize me. And that night I slept better than I have in weeks.

I dedicate this "Walk to End Alzheimer's" and this  post in the memory of my Aunt Margaret who lost her battle with Alzheimer's last April. She will be forever loved and missed.