
In response, she shook her head while handing me her empty cup.
“I cannot linger any longer; I must complete my shift!”
Becoming drawn to her compelled me to spend time with her despite constraints. Words weren’t enough to validate or quantify the epiphany experienced, one which forever changed me. This experience ignited awareness with appreciation and admiration of her worth from another time. She had made contributions during difficult times with achievements etched into our yesterdays. Those results are evident in the quality of our lives today as women. Despite those difficulties faced during the 1930s and World War II, pioneers such as herself shoulder we stand today.
Heroines like her are our forbearers and forever will be. We are indebted for opportunities that avail us because of them. I am ever grateful with a sense of honor and pride in being instrumental in her quality care.
Recognizing its incumbent to stand for those with Alzheimer’s—whenever they cannot stand for themselves, invigorates me to make a difference in whichever way I can. The role of ‘caregiver’ goes beyond contractual arrangements. This cruel disease opens ups a floodgate of life’s worse experiences that wash over its victim, and in observance of its onslaught, one can’t but fill with concern. Alzheimer’s removes any resemblance to the former self. Caregivers serve as a bridge adding quality of life for those entrusted to their care, and for that, they deserve acknowledgment for a difficult task—Kuddos to caregivers everywhere.