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Endangered Memories: A devoted wife makes a New Year's resolution to recall for her husband the Hawaii memories stolen by Alzheimer's - By Ceil Sinnex NEW YEAR'S EVE four years ago started out like any other day, if you take into account the fact that Dec. 31 is my birthday as well as the world's day for remembering "auld lang syne," Scottish for "the old long since," or the good old days long gone. I went out to celebrate my birthday at a library in Virginia countryside that is oddly reminiscent of Waimanalo. My husband, John, declined to accompany me, not unusual for him. John had a cough, but his doctor had ruled out anything serious. The cough seemed unconnected to his all-too-familiar disinterest in my birthday... But when I opened our front door at 5 p.m., I found our house under siege by a stranger who merely looked like John: physically fit, with his signature sea-captain's beard. Published in the Honolulu Star Bulletin Dec. 31, 2006. To read the whole story go here. Editor's note: We offer condolences to Ms. Sinnex, as her husband died in December 2009. More articles by this author and others are available to registered supporting members. To join, and support he Well Spouse Association, go here: http://www.wellspouse.org/caregiver-support/how-do-i-join-wsa.html |