the smile...

THE SMILE...

his smile and his blue eyes his quietness his willing to help

his love for his family his service to the community 

all ended this last week

he is the face of alzheimers disease

he a father husband and grandfather with friends and family 

that loved him

it took him away from all of us last week

that terrible disease that robs a persons brain and takes

over 

and causes a downward decline that can not be stopped

no matter what you do once it starts

thats what happened to my younger brother last week

that awful disease took him

it bothers me a lot because he died and it really bothers me

a lot that the alzheimers disease took him away from us 

when he was so young

i thought this was an old persons disease

he was in the prime of his life when it started 7 years ago

im sure that he noticed things a long time before others 

began to notice

ive talked and communicated with others who are diagnosed with

the disease real early and yes they notice things are changing

a long time before others notice

its the cruelty of this disease when you know

of course since our mother died from the disease he im sure 

as we all do worried that he was next and he was

this  also bothers me a lot 

his death and seeing what his wife and kids and grandkids had 

to go through during this period of time 

i also know that if my diagnosis is correct that my path

will be the same as his

im glad that i know though that this is a possibility so i can plan 

and hopefully my family can be as good as his family was throughout

this whole ordeal

his wife should be given the caregiver of the year award by someone

i know we all give her our vote

as she suffered through this ordeal 

the financial and emotional devastation that it caused

she was there

he always knew that she was there

she was there to the end

he died in the hospice house surrounded by his wife

his girls and his grandkids his friends and family 

may he rest in peace and may his family rest now in peace

his visitation the night before had a 2 1/2 hour line waiting to see 

the family 

a tribute to how well liked he was 

this silent guy with the blue eyes and that smile that so many 

people commented on 

the salute by the fire department 

the sounding of the final bells

the tribute of the sheriffs department

the presentation to his wife of the flag

the excellent funeral service by his minister who knew him 

as he told stories about my brother

the songs sung by a young man

who at one point had to pause as he teared up

a building packed to capacity to honor him

my younger brother 

yes may he rest in peace

ive shed my tears many times this last week

but ive smiled a lot 

like he use to

as i remember the things we use to do together when we 

were young

some mischievous some not

well most were probably mischievous

ill remember your last visit to our house when we had a lot

of time together 

the alzhiemers had its hold on you then 

you know as the words wouldnt come out right 

and as you said you couldnt remember things 

then our family reunion last month

when your wife that courageous dedicated wife brought you

there in that wheelchair bed

you were in there somewhere 

we were and all are glad that she made the effort to have you there

surrounded by all the noise and happiness

somewhere inside i think you knew you were there and enjoyed it

i cherish the visits i had with you that weekend

you didnt talk back but i talked to you anyway

i think you knew i was there

im glad now that you are at peace

and your family 

yes the mirror in which i look at is gone

rip 

we will all miss you

memorials can be made to his walk to end alzheimers team

#joe nash 

by clicking here

a time on november 2 when all his family and friends will gather again 

to honor him 

and to give support to the fight against this terrible disease that 

took him so young

the organicgreen doctor