Our family went to a family reunion this weekend. It was for my husbands side of the family. Our children and grand children also made the trip.
It was good to see those we haven't seen for years and introduce them to our grown up children and grand children. After the lunch, we all went to the old grave yard where members of the family were buried.
We walked among the old grave stones and the older family members shared stories of those who were buried there.
Some of the grave stones were so old and worn that you could not read the inscriptions. No one remembered who they were or when they had lived.
Everyone could only share stories of those they remembered during their life time. The ones buried there who had touched their lives while they lived.
I walked among the grave stones and tried to read the names carved on the stones. One stone only said baby girl. I wondered why she was never given a name. Even if she was born dead or only lived a brief time, she deserved a name. I named the baby girl, Grace.
Who were the people whose stones had weathered and time had erased their names? What had their lives meant to those who knew them? Had they been happy and had their lives touched someone for the better?
There were so many grave stones with names that no one in the family remembered.The memories of who they were and when they lived were buried with them.
It was as if...they were born, they lived their lives, they died and no one remembered the good or bad of who they were.
My mission in writing about Peggy is to educate about Alzheimer's disease and how it feels to watch someone you love disappear. To make sure that as many people as possible will get to know Peggy through my words.
My mission is that Peggy will be remembered for who she was and how she touched my life. I do not want her to be forgotten like so many of the people in the family grave yard.
Peggy will never be just a name on a grave stone because when you can teach people by living your life........
You will never be forgotten.
As long as I can remember Peggy....
She will continue to teach and I will continue to write the lessons she is teaching me as I Watch her...Disappear.
I Love You Today, Peggy!
I will remember you always.
Mary Louise
7 comments:
Yes that is such a great idea. I wonder if you did a family tree search if you could find out more info. Make sure everyone writes down info of people they remember now. I wish I had on tape perhaps now interviews with my grandparents generation. Their stories etc. Do it now with those who are around.
I know Baby Grace thanks you.
=)
love,
Wendy
How wonderful that you talk about your Sis Peggy, know this has to be such a hard time for you; alzheimer is not an easy illness for all the family members. Hard sharing so much with Peggy and then not be able to share as you did in the past. Just know deep inside Peggy, she knows your warmth and love you have for her. Bless you......Arlene
Mary Louise, how nice you gave the baby a name. And what a beautiful name it is! Nice to meet you! Thanks for dropping by my journal. I am sorry you are dealing with pain. If you ever want to talk about it I am just an email away. So, your grandson had chiari surgery? Thank goodness he is doing well and had it caught early. I didn't have my surgery until my late 30's and, unfortunately, I have alot of damage. I am still a happy gal =), though. Thanks for dropping by. You have a loving and fascinating journal here. I have dropped by before but never commented. Have a good week, sweetie. Hugs, Val xox
http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason
Mary Louise, how nice you gave the baby a name. And what a beautiful name it is! Nice to meet you! Thanks for dropping by my journal. I am sorry you are dealing with pain. If you ever want to talk about it I am just an email away. So, your grandson had chiari surgery? Thank goodness he is doing well and had it caught early. I didn't have my surgery until my late 30's and, unfortunately, I have alot of damage. I am still a happy gal =), though. Thanks for dropping by. You have a loving and fascinating journal here. I have dropped by before but never commented. Have a good week, sweetie. Hugs, Val xox
http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason
Mary Louise,
Thank you for visiting my journal... I actually have you on alerts. I had read your journal many times as I was going through my own heartache while losing my nana to Alzheimer's. She's gone now, but it was a very difficult struggle for her and our whole family.
We also visited her grave and those of family members long passed on Mother's day weekend. It is quite a trip walking through...
Peace and hugs, michelle
Because of you, I will remember Peggy, too, all my life. Margo
Post a Comment