Thoughts of Mom

I read an article today on what region of the brain is the starting point for Alzheimer's and it excited me to find this information and know something that could potentially cause it could be stopped by just getting a good night's rest.  This is obviously not the case for everyone but if it could help, I'm willing to learn and read more on it!  As I read the article it made me think about my Mom and Grandma and I wanted to share my thoughts here :)

My Grandmother died 10 years ago after battling Alzheimer's and when that happened, I knew a little part of my Mom had died because she was so close with her Mom (my Grandma). It changed her, therefore changed me, and this disease is such a sad one to watch a family member go through. To watch my Grandma forget who we were, her ability to know how to eat, and even show emotion was devastating and the toll it took on my Mom, her sisters, brother, my Grandpa before he passed, and all of us who loved my Grandma so dearly was so difficult. Finding a way to slow the on-set of it, and a cure for the disease would be great but reading this article means it starts with a good night's sleep. A thing I have been far too aware of for the past couple months...if getting a good night's sleep means that I can keep my family and future from going through this, it is all the more reason to keep stress at bay, and take some time for myself. Before I came back to LA, I had spent a lot of time at home cleaning and organizing things so that it would be easier for my Dad to keep the house tidy without my Mom. I found a Thanksgiving card my Mom had written a couple years after my Grandma had passed, in it she said when she visited my Grandma that she would just constantly talk to her while my Grandma would just watch her. Then she'd lay her head on my Grandma's shoulder and cry, and Grandma would start crying too. She could no longer speak, she had lost the sparkle in her eye, and had even forgotten how to smile, but my Mom knew this was my Grandma trying to comfort her the only way she knew how. I cried as I read the beautiful note my Mom had written and I knew how much she loved her and missed her every day. Before my Grandma could no longer speak, she still called me her 'Tiny One.' I know my Mom got to reunite with her parents in Heaven just two short months ago and is able to have the conversations she'd been waiting to have for over 10 years. I can't wait to have a conversation with you again, Mom, I miss you every day.

Grandma & Grandpa Jacoby with my Mom over 30 years ago!

If you'd like to check out the article: http://www.medicaldaily.com/alzheimers-ground-zero-locus-coeruleus-373619

Losing my Mom is by far the hardest thing I've ever had to go through.  The reason I'm posting these stories and sharing memories is because I want people to feel comfortable with their feelings (I cry in public on a regular basis at this point) and know it's ok to hurt and grieve.  I think it's also important to keep someone's spirit alive and remember all the wonderful memories that were created.  I appreciate all the support my family, friends, and even just the passerby have been giving me and will continue to show me as I learn to live without the person who meant more to me than anyone else.  One day at a time <3 

The Alzheimer's Walk

Daylight Saving's Time in Fall is my favorite because you 'Fall Back' and gain an our of sleep that night.  I was so looking forward to that extra hour after knowing I was going to have a late night Bartending at Bar Lubitsch, but didn't know I was going to be there until 4 am (real time, before the change) and by the time I got home and got to bed it was 5 am.  Ugh.

Walking for Alzheimer's with a Mass of People!

For some reason, waking up at 6:45 am on Sunday morning was easy.  Neil and Jamie met me at my place and we all drove to Century City together where the Alzheimer's Walk was happening!  After we got parked, we all registered, got our wristbands and I picked up my Walk T-Shirt because I had raised over $100.  I actually reached my goal $250 through help of family and friends and I was so happy to raise the money and create awareness for Alzheimer's.  Then we picked up our Flowers, which signified if we lost someone to Alzheimer's, cared or supported someone with Alzheimer's, or wanted to create awareness, and we took a Team Photo together!  Go Tiny One's!  Then we grabbed some snacks and coffee and walked to the stage to listen to some of the speeches by celebrities before we made our way to the Start Line.

Jamie had hiked 8 miles the day before when she was in Catalina, Neil needs to have surgery on his MCL, and I really enjoy my Sunday Walk, so I don't think any of us really planned on running but once the Walk got started, that all got thrown to the wind as our competitive spirits came alive and we all took off to get ahead of the pack.  Neil decided to run the whole 5k and actually ended up 'Winning' even though it was a close race with a 19-year old kid who did his darndest, but Neil prevailed.  Jamie and I walked and ran the 5k, as we chatted about our weekend and made it to the Finish Line just a few minutes after Neil.  My only frustration was that the course they had mapped out had you going back and forth, and with all the people walking at different paces, you were crossing people and it was kind of confusing.  One of the greatest things about the race was how supportive all the Volunteers were, when you were walking by one, they would clap and cheer you on, and they offered water as well.  I handed out Hi-Fives along the way and was very excited to be doing my first ever Charity Walk!  The Finish Line was the coolest with the biggest cheers, and there were actually Cheerleaders there, and people congratulating you.

Team Tiny One's

After the Walk we stopped at McDonald's for Breakfast and enjoyed eating some fast food after knowing we got in a good work-out!  But the best part of the whole experience, was knowing that we helped a cause and created awareness about Alzheimer's and the Association and hopefully made a difference in someone's life!  

*Thank you to Jamie and Neil for Walking with me, your support means so much to me, and I had a blast 'Running' with you!  Thank you also to my Mom and Dad, Linda & Dave Opitz, Katie Schamberger, Jeff Walker, Thi Nguyen, JJ & John Long, Karen Girard, and Jamie Boalbey for donating to my Team!*

This one was for you Grandma...love you always! ~ Your Tiny One

Alzheimer's Walk...Donations Please :)

I'm walking for Alzheimer's on Sunday in Los Angeles and I'm also raising money and awareness for this cause in hopes that we can find a cure!  If you'd like to Donate to the Alzheimer's Association please click on the link below and know that any donation helps and is greatly appreciated :)

The Tiny One's Story and Donation Page 

Here's my story:
The Tiny Ones

Hey Everyone,

My Grandma, Angie, died from Alzheimer's just over 7 years ago.  She was an amazing woman, loved by everyone she met, and could always make people smile.

When I was younger, I was a pretty small little girl, so she would call me her 'Tiny One.'  As I was growing up and in school, when we'd attend Church, she'd be at the Kids Mass, and would always give me a big hug and call me her Tiny One.  Some of the kids started to make fun of my nickname, and I'd get nervous and tell her not to call me that around them, but then something made me say to her, 'I don't care, you can call me your Tiny One anytime you want.'  About 10 years later, even when she was being taken care of and in an Alzheimer's Facility, she still remembered me, even when her memory was failing, she would always call me her 'Tiny One.'  Eventually, she wasn't able to communicate vocally anymore, but we saw it in her eyes when she'd recognize us.

Grandma, I miss you every day and think of you very often.  Every time I see 'The Price is Right,' or make Eggs with Cheese, see Crueller's in a Donut Shop, or watch a chef on a cooking show use Rhubarb, or sing Christmas Carols and Church songs that we'd sing together, it reminds me of you.  And I will always be proud to be your Tiny One.

By walking for my Grandma, I'm raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research, care and support.  Currently, more than 5 million American's have Alzheimer's and that number is expected to grow.  Please help support this great cause, even if it's just a couple dollars, every little bit helps.  Your donations to help the Alzheimer's Association advance research into prevention, treatments and a cure for Alzheimer's.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and I appreciate any help you can give :)

Love,

Lyndsey 'Tiny One'

If you'd like to join my team and walk with me, please let me know!  Having the support of family and friends is the greatest gift anyone can recieve!

Again...here's that link and thank you :)  Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to turn those clocks back one hour tonight!

The Tiny Ones Story and Donation Page