In early October, Judy, a wonderful woman I had know for years passed away. She was about 75 years old and for the last 55 or so years of her life, she did not work outside the home. She had 7 children and many grandchildren who absolutely adored her. She was loving, supportive, accepting and always had a truly radiant smile. This morning, I came across a piece her next door neighbor had written about their time together as Judy slowly succombed to Alzheimer’s.
“Our walks are slower now-we don’t concern ourselves with daily happenings because my dearest friend is losing her memory. We don’t discuss daily happenings because she doesn’t remember them, but she is still teaching me. She teaches me to walk slower, stop along the way to notice, really notice the bird singing, the buds swelling, and the blue span of sky. We talk about important things now, the really important knowing that she doesn’t have to remember all the names of the beloved family members, it doesn’t matter, because she knows they are there, they cherish her, they seek her our, still want to be with her. We’re going to work in the garden together again this spring, but we won’t be chatting about daily happenings; we will be in wonder and amazement at the feel of the earth and growing things.”
I wonder how my friend Judy knew, so long ago what really mattered and why we need to face monumental challenges such as financial meltdown to learn that very same thing.
