I was thinking to myself, that if this blog is part memoir, part just thoughts, and part journal, I should record and comment on books I read throughout my 40th year, since, what we read, becomes part of us, overall. This book was one of the books recommended by Ellen, for our book group to read. Everyone decided on the "other book," but I came across this at Walmart the next day, in the trade paperbacks no less, for $5.97, so, being that I was quite interested in it anyways, I "whipped it in the cart." I am so glad I did.

The book deals with Alice, Harvard cognative psychology professor, and linguistics expert, wife, and mother of three, who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease at 50. The book was so eye-opening, as you "got inside" the mind of someone who's memory is failing them during the time that they are very well aware of what is going on. I think the book could be such a great tool for those who are facing this disease, to perhaps be able to see themselves, and in turn, help their family and friends understand the life they face each day. The book could open lines of dialogue between people who, quite frankly, might be having a hard time FINDING the right words, in a very literal sense.

I am a "dog-earer," and I write in my books, and I made a lot of marks in this one, but a certain quote from a speech that Alice gives at a conference for Dementia Caregivers had such beautiful clarity...

"My yesterdays are disappearing, and my tomorrows are uncertain, so what do I live for? I live for each day. I live in the moment. Some tomorrow soon, I'll forget that I stood before you and gave this speech. But just because I'll soon forget it some tomorrow, doestn't mean I didn't live every second of it today. I will forget today, but that doesn't mean that today didn't matter."

I have been thinking a lot about living in the moment, lately, and if that doesn't sum up a pretty damn good argument FOR it, I don't know what does! It is all we've got, Alzheimer's or no Alzheimer's, all any of us have is NOW.

Kathy, I will save the book for you, when you are ready for it. You show such quiet bravery in caring for your mom. (can't believe I just used the word quiet to describe you!) We really ARE the grownups, now, eh? And who knew that the goofs we were in college would grow up to be the amazing women we are today? I love you!

Still Alice...go read it!