I usually do not share the results of "analysis" or "tests" on Facebook, but this one turned out well! Michael, the word that describes you perfectly is HONEST! Your life is too interesting to be defined in words but this one word suits you the most and you couldn't agree more. You have a great personality and many other beautiful qualities. Among other things your are Reliable and Kind.
Your friends Jerome and Jennifer are also in awe of you and your amazing qualities.
You dance every chance you get. Whether that's through meadows of wildflowers or nightclubs. It makes no difference to you. Always seen with a smile on your face, you transform every gray day into a colorful adventure. Contagious and impulsive, your presence is always a cause of joy!
Share this result with all your friends and show them the one word that describes you the best!
These are some supportive, gratifying comments from and a conversation with my dear Facebook friend Faith R. Faith was diagnosed with Young Onset Alzheimer's a number of years ago but she did not accept the diagnosis as a death sentence! She has been working hard at living the best life possible with her family, including her daughter and grand-daughter. I am honored that she has shared part of her life with me! Thank you Faith. I appreciate you! (I hope you don't mind my wanting to share with my BLOG friends a photograph of your BEAUTIFUL, kind face!!! I will remove it if you ask :-)
F: Well...I just watched it (Alzheimer's: A Love Story) on Amazon....and I am sending you big ((HUGS)), Michael....you are just such a loving man....and you story is sooo loving. I wish there was something I could do make you grief easier bare. Thank you for making this film and sharing you story. M: Thank you so much Faith for you kind comments. I can feel the love you are sending. I am very proud of the documentary and the four kids who made it did a wonderful job. It has now been accepted to 70 film festivals and won 30+ awards! Never imagined this would happen. I have been using the documentary as a base for presentations in which I talk about Alzheimer's, Same-Sex Relationships, and most importantly ... LOVE! I am also working on my memoirs and hopefully one day I will send you an autographed copy Meanwhile, I miss my honey every day, we have conversations often, I continue to be grateful for having had him in my life and for the gifts he gave me, and my grief grows lighter each day. Take care. Fondly, Michael F: I loved you table by the door...it very inspiring me. I look forward you memoirs. You love him very palabable...and you grief. I cried whole time and just wanted hug you. If only we could all be so lucky as have such wonderful care you gave him....and what a wonderful care home. Some kids from NYC are wanting make a documentary re end of life Alz, they want feature me....they coming town SAME DAY you film showing DAI....I was stressing hoping not miss it as I had waited sooo long, but was glad be able see on Amazon. I think the guys go back Wed AM. I have been real struggle much of late. I progressing. I miss that we used talk. You have been such a light my life, give me faith people. I loved getting know Gregory a little bit. You have very powerful movie. You love him very beautiful. Thank you again share you life. Sorry if I have no been much a friend like I used be....I have had a real hard time keep up. Somehow I sense you understand. Please don't ever think you not in my heart and mind though. You, more than anyone, have helped me see things from the caregiver perspective. Thank you all you patience me. M: I do understand. I think of you often and picture you in happiness and strength. I do NOT spend my time thinking "Poor Faith!" You are fortunate and you are blessed! I will try to drop a line now and then but meanwhile I have been posting more on http://mhorvich.blogspot.com with my regular writing and now and then things dealing with Gregory and Alzheimer's. I have been writing about Trump but letting people find it at the BLOG rather than filling Facebook, if you know what I mean, being more controversial. Look forward to hearing more about your experiences with your documentary team. Maybe DAI will record the session. I'll let you know. F: I will still try make session. It'd be nice see you say hi. I will check you blog....I never get emails from it telling me you posted. I will try stay in touch also. M: Do you know how to "bookmark" the bog? I could arrange for it to come directly to your e-mail if you share it with me. F: I did bookmark it....or add my favorites. But that require me rember it there, and find and go check. What I need do....and should ahve done (but sometimes it take talk with someone for it click for me) is put a icon on my desk top go check it every day when I sitting down morning coffee or tea things read. I mean, that only makes sense right? Somedays I feel like I must have been a really stupid person in life as these things occur me and I think why did I no always do it this way?! You are such a dear friend. M: ... BUT, they do occur, don't they I'll add your e-mail to my automatic send for the blog. Let me know next time I post if you get it.
I have made a new Facebook friend by the name of Faith who was diagnosed with Young Onset Alzheimer's and in trying to live her life as well as possible, is single - without a life partner to support her through the journey she is traveling.
I want to imagine and assume that she is doing well, coping, and while sad and lonely at times, knows that so many of her Facebook and life friends are there for her.
She is a great advocate for living life to its fullest without the need of grief, pity, or needing to be a "social worker" to others when if fact she is the one who is dealing with Dementia/ Alzheimer's, and doing it well on her own! (My words but "Fuck, whose disease is this anyway?"
Faith is putting together in writing her end of life wishes. She wants to spell out how she wants to live her live and be treated as she slowly is not able to tell others what her needs are. That is the insidious nature of Dementia/ Alzheimer's, for the person diagnosed and trying to live as well as possible and for others who will end up having to make decisions on behalf of that person.
On Facebook she asked for help in this complex task and I offered to send her all of the paperwork which Gregory and I have used for ourselves in thinking about End of Life Directives. Ironically I have been currently getting this in order again after having met with our lawyer and researched the subject and thinking about changes in our paperwork since Gregory died (not three months ago.)
Here are some interesting "backs and forths" that have taken place between Faith and me:
Hi Michael, I would very much appreciate that...your offer to send the Care Directive. My email is faithriverstone@yahoo.com. heart emoticon
I will put them in the e-mail tonight tomorrow my time. Let me know what you think.
Thanks Michael, I will. I really appreciate it. ((Hugs)). smile emoticon
Easy to do for you. ((Kisses))
See if this worked instead of e-mail. Let me know.
Oh thank you, I love the wording and very much appreciate it as it helps me get the wording on mine better. Thank you thank you Michael, you are such a great soul. smile emoticon
These "End of Life" topics are not easy to talk about but Gregory and I always felt empowered when we were able to make our own decisions about how we wanted things to be. For us it was a little more complicated being a same sex couple but for you as a single woman probably a little more difficult! I wish you well and health and to be able to be the best you can be for as long as you choose!
It is definitely nice to be able to have someone to have a back and forth conversation with...I do miss that. I hear you are funneling energy into a second blog, glad to see you are finding ways to re-find yourself. smile emoticon
Just a small correction, I never really lost myself so there is no need to re-find:-) What I am having to do is learn to live post-Alzheimer's. I know how you feel about caregiving and caregiving partners, and mostly I agree, but Gregory's journey with Alzheimer's was mine as well. We were part of a phd study and the person doing the study often said he found it amazing, interesting, and wonderful that even at the height of the complications of the disease's effect on Gregory, we acted and behaved like partners in a couple relationship. We did so until the end so the loss is even stronger. I hope you can fine some solace in knowing that so many of us here in Virtual Caringland send you positive energies and love. Also sending hugs and kisses! P.S. if you haven't already book marked me: http://mhorvich.blogspot.com
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