Posts Tagged ‘in loving memory’
A cause for a cure
As many of you blog follower’s will know, I recently lost my grandmother, Iva Fearon Leiter, to Alzheimer’s disease.
It has been very difficult to be in San Francisco across the country from my family at this time. It was a possibility I had accepted in moving here, but I did not imagine it would happen within my first week of being here.
While I have felt very alone in my sadness of missing my grandmother while trying to maintain the excitement of being in a new place and looking for a job, I know that my grandmother would have no moping around. She just wouldn’t stand for it. Her love and strength was admirable and I would not be honoring her appropriately if I did not try display the same.
The other day I received a sign, quite literally. I drove past a poster advertising the Walk to End Alzheimer’s this upcoming weekend in San Francisco.
I couldn’t think of a more perfect way in which to honor my loving grandmother. It’s the perfect way to combat my loneliness in losing her and honor her spirit by donating to a cause that will hopefully prevent other grandmas from enduring Alzheimer’s disease.
If you would like to donate and/or join my team, please click HERE.
About the walk:
“The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s™ is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s unites the entire community — family, friends, co-workers, social and religious groups and more — in a display of combined strength and dedication in the fight against this devastating disease. While there is no fee to register, each participant is expected to fundraise in order to contribute to the cause and raise awareness. The Alzheimer’s Association provides free, easy-to-use tools and staff support to help each participant reach their fundraising goal.
When you participate in Walk, your fundraising dollars fuel our mission-related initiatives of care, support and research. In addition, your actions, both through fundraising and participating in the event, help to change the level of Alzheimer’s awareness in your community. At a Walk event, you can learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and the support programs and services offered by your local chapter. You will also have unique opportunities to get involved with the cause through advocacy initiatives and clinical trial enrollment. These experiences, in addition to other on-site opportunities, help each participant connect to their reason for walking.
Take the first step to a world without Alzheimer’s by finding a Walk near you. Once you register, you will have access to a wide range of tools and support through your Participant Center, ensuring a successful and fulfilling experience.
Our mission
To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.Our vision
A world without Alzheimer’s disease®.”
Favorite Foto Friday
In loving memory…
Today’s photo is one that represents a celebration of a birthday and of the Red Sox home opener!
Back in 1986, on April 12th, the world was given the gift of my dear friend, Dan. Unfortunately, his time here was short and he died unexpectedly back in 2007 just after his 21st birthday.
I do not share this photo lightly or wish to burden whoever views today’s photo, but, instead, display it in memory of his life as an inspiration. To live simply. To live kindly. To live wholeheartedly. These are things Dan did every day seamlessly effortlessly.
This picture is from a lifetime ago. I think I was a sophomore or junior in high school. This is no longer me and no longer him, but for a while, this was all we knew. I love this photo because it represents the happiness we found in each others friendship. Despite the rough times RDHS often had to offer, we were genuinely happy here. We had our friends to get us through.
I loved Dan’s Doors t-shirt. It was my favorite and I always joked that I would steal it one day. He was a true, old school rock ‘n’ roll lover and I almost always think of him whenever “Gimme Shelter” blares (because- duh- it’s the Rolling Stone’s- it’s definitely always blaring).
He also loved the Red Sox. I remember pestering Dan endlessly as he patiently watched the games (this was pre-2004 World Series mind you) me not being able to sit still and wanting to go cause a ruckus somewhere in Owls Head.
There were most certainly some bad memories that we shared from high school too, but I can’t seem to remember them any more. Dan is always remembered in my mind, my heart and my soul as a true blue midcoast Mainer. He worked hard and played harder, and he ALWAYS had my back. He was a true friend and is dearly missed by many, myself included.
I share this photo today in honor of his birthday and his love for the Red Sox, but also as a reminder to believe in what you do. Dan almost always did. That’s not an easy task by any means. If you don’t wholeheartedly believe in what you’re doing, question whether or not you should be and remember there is still time to change and what better a time for new beginnings then spring!?
