we all were together and it was good

WE ALL WERE TOGETHER AND IT WAS GOOD
this weekend we had our fourth annual family reunion
it seems each year it gets better

a lot of family reunions are stressful events
this one seemed not to be that way

those who we talked to since the reunion have said
that this one was the best so far

i guess the worst or saddest part of this reunion this year
was looking at the old pictures from 2011
the reunion two years ago seeing my younger brother in the
group picture standing and robust looking interacting
with everyone
and really unless you really paid attention you might not
know he had alzheimers disease since he was quiet that day
but
now two years later he came to the reunion in a van from
the long term care facility and was wheelchair confined
his interaction with us all was minimal
but somehow i feel like deep inside he knew where he was
and i think he enjoyed being there

i know it meant a lot to all of his brothers and sisters to have
him there

yes that was the saddest but happiest of the reunion was
having him there
his wife is a special person

that alzheimers is a terrible disease as it just slowly whittles
away at a person
we must find a cure
its within our reach now
at least for the generation behind me
maybe they wont have to go through this with their siblings or
their partners or friends or kids

so yes it was mostly a happy reunion
it makes you want to continue the traditon as
its i realize the best way for families to make that connection each
year that would be lost without these reunions
facebook is no substitute for a one on one hug smiles and personal
interactions

so yes we were all together and it was good

the organicgreen doctor