Sunday, October 30, 2016

Words of Wisdom from Maria Shriver and Ann Romney


Every Sunday morning I get a weekly email from Maria Shriver. I always look forward to getting these and then going to her website to read more. I have always admired her for many reasons. She is very much into supporting Alzheimer's research which is something near and dear to my heart. 

This past week has been a very difficult one with my dear Aunt Teresa.   She continues to decline mentally at what seems to be more of a rapid decline.   She keeps wanting to go home and I know that she means Douglas.   A few mornings lately she has not known where she is.    The little things that she could still do are becoming less and less.   I put her clothes out for her each morning and she is having a more difficult time getting herself dressed.   I have to help her with just the simple things like putting on her shirt, etc.    She is unable to take a shower on her own anymore.     She no  longer prays, which was something she did each and every day.   To me, this was the biggest sign of her decline.    Most of the time, you can't carry on a conversation with her about much of anything.   Sometimes she can perk up for a bit when someone comes over, but that is also getting less and less.    

Yesterday afternoon we went to get manis and pedis.   We finished up around 3:30 and went to get an early dinner.    Around 6:30 she informed me that I had not fed her today!    She didn't remember that we went out earlier.   For a long time, I tried to take her out as much as possible to interact with people, but that, too, is becoming harder and harder.  I HATE THIS DISEASE!   I know that it has touched Maria Shriver's family and that is why she does so much with it.

Each week, Maria features different people that she calls "Architects of Change." I read her interview with Ann Romney in today's edition. I did not realize that Mrs. Romney has MS and has created a foundation for neurological research. Having many very good friends who have MS, this is also something very important to me. Mrs. Romney says some things that I absolutely love. She described how her MS diagnosis made her stronger, more empathetic and gave her a new perspective on her mission in life.

“We all have a bag of rocks that we carry in life, and most of the time nobody can see the bag of rocks that’s thrown over our shoulders… We need to be more compassionate and caring– and recognize that everybody has a bag of rocks– and that we need to be more caring and kind.”

Reading this interview shows that people of different religions and political backgrounds CAN come together for the greater good.

I highly recommend getting this weekly email. If you go to mariashriver.com, you can sign up for it. As I said, I look forward to reading it every Sunday morning.

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