My beautiful Mom…

I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that had it not been for Alzheimer’s disease, we would be joyfully celebrating her 81st birthday today.

There are so many things in life that don’t make sense – things that simply defy any sort of logical explanation. We all face situations and experiences that shake us to the core and make us question everything we thought we knew.

At the end of the day, we have a choice as to how, or even if, we will move on. Will we allow the pain to eat us alive, leaving behind an unrecognizable bitter, hopeless shell? Or, will we use it as a path toward personal growth? Will we shut down, mired in pain and toxic negativity? Or will we share our story with the hope that we might be able to make someone else feel just a little less alone?

For the record, neither course will be easy and both will leave us doubting ourselves at times. The pain will never fully die away and regardless of the direction we choose, we are changed forever.

Happy Birthday, Mom. May your legacy live on and may your story continue to strengthen and inspire others. You will forever be my hero.