Ramblings and Book Reviews

Over the past four years I have been speaking to audiences around the United States about memory disease, reaching out to families starting this journey, hoping to alleviate some of the confusion and frustration they are facing. After a forty-minute presentation, I move to the question and answer segment and then I stay afterwards to talk one on one. Individuals share their stories about struggling with a loved one with memory disease with me. Almost every story has the same component — denial.

Sometimes it is the person I am talking to that is showing symptoms of denial, other times it is another family member or spouse that is in denial. Whenever denial exists the danger of not getting proper care for the memory patient also exists.

Why do we deny the existence of Alzheimer’s or dementia in our loved one? Is it because it hurts to face the facts? As human beings we often avoid problems of hurtful situations to protect our emotions. I have done it myself, in regard to the level of care that my mother required, or in the fact that my father had vascular dementia. While helping my husband take care of both his parents with memory disease, I observed his occasional lapse into denial. However, for eight long years he did a marvelous job to attempt to face the situation head on.

Many people have emailed me or told me how much A Gradual Disappearance has helped them as they have dealt with their loved one with memory disease. For that I am grateful. On October 22nd, 2015 a new booklet called The Dangers of Denial was released. Two weeks later my mother passed away. Despite a slow start The Dangers of Denial has benefited those who have read it. 

What Is It Like?

With one in six seniors facing Alzheimer’s disease today, we can’t help but wonder what is it like? What are patients facing? What are they thinking? What will be going on in our minds if we get the disease?

Poet Nancy Nelson has answered those questions as she writes of her experience with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Her poetry is truly a gift to the Alzheimer’s and dementia community. She has given professionals and family members a glimpse of what patients are experiencing.

Nancy’s poems outline the frustration and confusion of Alzheimer’s. The disappointment when she sees herself forgetting, the anger that she feels becomes evident in some of the verbiages. But instead of being a downer, she weaves a hopeful thread into her prose. She is facing the “A’s” as she calls it, head on. She is active, vivacious and has not given up, in what has been defined by many experts as a loosing battle.

If you have a loved one suffering from memory disease Blue. River. Apple. will help you understand
this disease from the patient’s viewpoint.

Please visit Nancy’s website at http://www.blueriverapple.com

Blue.River.Apple. is available on Amazon 

What sacrifices would you be willing to make for Jesus Christ? How about leaving behind your family, friends and the safety and comforts of life in the 20th Century? The author of Poking Holes in the Darkness, Jaki Parlier, did just that. She and her husband, Jim, obeyed God’s call to translate the Bible for the isolated Managalasi people, who live deep in the mountains of Papua New Guinea.

Though Jaki eagerly set out on their journey; was anything on earth farther away from New Jersey than what they were met with when they arrived? Face-to-face with homesickness, primitive living conditions, strange food and above all, people whose language she couldn't understand, she questioned her faith and love for God.

Jaki tells an intriguing story of God’s work among the Managalasi people that is written with love, compassion, a sense of humor and a focus on God.

Poking Holes in the Darkness is both a joyful and tearful account of what Jaki and Jim sacrificed to bring Jesus Christ and His Word to the Managalasi people.  It will challenge you to consider your own faith and what sacrifices you are willing to make for Jesus Christ.

To Purchase Poking Holes In the Darkness write to:

The Bookroom
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862-8200