Rick - you write with truth and eloquence and beauty. Thank you for your honesty. In addition to living today and not putting off things, you can ask your self "have I helped others?" and you can definitely answer that with a shout "yes!!!". God bless you

Jesus loves you! !

Rick, what a gift you are giving everyone by sharing your experiences. Thank you for that. No matter what happens, you will always experience love. Best wishes.

What an incredible article. I am in awe of you Rick. I don't know how you are able to write so passionately with the things you are dealing with. I know what you say about your progression, but I just have to keep trying to envision it.

I do hope you get to do all the things you still want to do. You are providing such a wonderful service to other people who have dementia and their family members. Please accept a big THANK YOU, from me on behalf of me and my cousin, who has Vascular Mixed dementia. I want to know what she's thinking. I think that by reading your articles, I get a glimpse of what she is going through.

Rick, what you are doing is a blessing to all of us who are facing dementia in one way or another. My mom has lost her short term memory and is now losing her long term memory as well. She sleeps all the time, but gets around surprisingly well. God willing she will be 91 next month. I feel so sad that I cannot have a conversation with my mom anymore. It's amazing to me that you write so eloquently about your disease. I hope you are able to do all the things on your list and more. Please know that your blog is a wonderful resource for so many. All the best to you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers. Maureen

I was moved to tears as I feel deeply for Rick's continuing journey. It is one I am witnessing with my husband and Rick reminds me to encourage my husband to continue to do whatever brings him pleasure and satisfaction.
It is also a reminder that I should schedule more trips, even though details will be quickly forgotten. At least I will have the memories.

I really admire you. Thank you for your words. I am 81 and my husband is 83. He suffered 2 mild strokes and ever since then he has been going downhill mentally and physical. He can walk slowly, but every day it is getting harder for him to talk, focus and even understand what he is told. He attributes all to the strokes (as if that meant that it will get better), but to me it is progressing dementia but I do not have the courage of suggesting it to him. I think he is getting more depressed everyday and he hardly eats. Thanks again for your message. I wish I could help my husband or find someone who can. God bless you!

My prayers are with you. You are the most beautiful, eloquent and selfless person I have encountered in many many years. Your bravery is immeasurable. I am in awe of you. Your friends, family and all the rest of us will remember you forever and you will always be in our hearts.
I am unaware of your blog and would lover to read it. I have no idea how to do so, so if someone would direct me, I would be so appreciative. My dear, what you are doing to help the caregivers and the afflicted is brave and so important. Your life and legacy will live on in all of us touched by you forever. Thankyou for what you have and are doing. Thankyou

Beautiful. Each day is a gift and every memory is precious. I was directed to your blog when we first realized my Mom had Alzheimer's. You helped me to understand what my Mom was battling and enabled me to also explain the disease to my siblings. In June of last year my Mom was said to be in the middle stage of the disease and in early July she suddenly started saying that she doesn't eat or drink...she passed away in November. I learned so much about the disease and am grateful that she was spared the horrors of the end stage of the disease, but also sad that I didn't have a few more years with her. I really just want to thank you for sharing your journey and know that I will keep you and your family uplifted in prayer.
~Rita Girard

Very beautiful article with lots of encouragement.