I remember the day my grandmother was diagnosed. It was the day of my bridal shower back in 2010. There were earlier signs of my grandmother's dementia, but on this particular day, my mother asked my grandmother to draw a clock. At that time, I did not know much about the effects of Alzheimer's nor how drawing a clock had anything to do with it. When my grandmother was unable to draw that clock, however, I began to understand the severity of dementia and the urgent need to become more aware of Alzheimer's; this disease was steadily hitting home. Since that day, I learned so much, and continue to learn through my grandmother’s journey with Alzheimer's.

Initially, it was awkward for me to spend time with my grandmother or converse with her as much as I wanted to. For me, I didn't understand how to be there for a woman I loved so much, who, at that time, I felt no longer knew who I was. But, time tells the truth. The more I visited my grandmother, the more I realized how much she knew me, how much she knew her children and how much she needed good time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I loved seeing our family come together and learning how we each connected to my grandmother's journey in unique ways. Whether we danced at her nursing home frequently, walked her around for exercise, see her win her “walker” race, rolled her hair, helped her eat, sung and played music, stopped to visit for one-on-one time, attended family dinners and birthday parties, financed unforeseen costs, participated in the Alzheimer's Kickball Tournament, or raised funds for The Walk to End Alzheimer's, we did not stop showering our Evelyn Perry Battle with love.

Supporting and caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's takes an entire family; BUT, someone, exceptional, has to be fully invested. My Aunt Rebecca was that person. It is my aunt that buffered the "hard hit" as all of our lives changed upon our knowledge of my grandmother’s disease. It is through my aunt, that our family sustained the effects of such a hit. She pulled our family together. She helped us understand. She used her gift of storytelling to help us laugh in the midst of the storm. She monitored my grandmother’s care from one nursing home to another. She was my grandmother's full time caregiver. We would not have made it without her and without the God she serves. My aunt was and still is a faithful servant of God. Thank you Auntie. I can imagine that adjusting to your mother in ways you never imagined may have been difficult. The days you had to sacrifice time with your husband for the cares of your mother may have been challenging. The back and forth traveling may have been costly. The constant switching of nursing homes, rooms and beds may have been exhausting. BUT, God had his hand on you. Today, I thank God for you; Grandma's Baby Girl.

I close with a Facebook post I wrote when my grandmother transitioned to her heavenly home on the same date as her wedding anniversary. I wrote this post with tears in my eyes, as it served and continues to serve as a reminder that love is so powerful that it transcends even the forgetful effects of Alzheimer's. My grandmother loved her children. She loved her children's children, and she loved her Husband. Through the life she lived, I know firsthand that relationships are important. How you make people feel is important. The legacy you leave behind IS important. People will remember love. I am blessed, my entire family is blessed, to know that in the midst of her memory cloud, in those intimate moments when she looked me, and each of us in our eyes, my grandmother’s glare mirrored love.

Written April, 2015

68 years ago yesterday, my grandmother said YES before God to give her hand and her life to my grandfather's love, leadership, and covering.

Since that day my grandmother was the leading lady in a love story that has impacted my life in so many ways. I know that true love DOES exist, and real love is truly strong. I've seen through her that when love finds you, you know it with a STRONG conviction that no person or no circumstance can take away. As a retired pianist and music teacher for more than 30 years, Alzheimer's didn't prevent her from remembering the melodies of her life. She knew the name of Jesus, she knew & felt her husband EVERY day, she recognized her children by name, and she knew her grandchildren by spirit.

Yesterday, my grandmother closed her eyes to her earthly journey. When she opened her eyes to GOD & her man, I can imagine her saying YES once again. God, I thank you for joining Rev. William Lee Battle Sr. and Evelyn Perry Battle together in matrimony. Even on their final bed, they still chose each other! Happy Anniversary to you both. A love story well LIVED! For you, I walk alive in love.

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