Turning Back the Clock 10+ Years

by Skip Cohen

Somewhere around 2011, one of the finest photographers in the industry, Bambi Cantrell, spent the day with my folks. It was essentially a day-in-the-life shoot and all happening right at the start of my mother's eight-year fight with Alzheimer's.

Out of that battle, Dad and I got involved with the Caregiver Support Group, part of the Senior Friendship Centers' support for the community. As Alzheimer's slowly robbed my Dad of the love of his life, his anger grew. Finally, it was suggested we join a support group, and while Dad at first hated the idea, he learned so much over the next year. 

For my Dad's generation, you didn't share your feelings outside your family when they were sad, angry, or frustrated. You simply didn't do your "dirty laundry" in public. Sound familiar? But the other members of the group helped him understand he wasn't alone in his feelings, especially his sadness.

So, Dad and I would go to the weekly support group meetings and then go out to lunch together. It was pretty much the only time he'd leave my mother's side. As he said to me once when I was trying to get him to do a boys' night out, "Your mother has taken care of me every day for all these years. Now it's my turn to take care of her!"

I was recently at the Friendship Centers and grabbed one of their brochures - with Mom and Dad on the cover. I know how proud they'd both be knowing they were involved in helping spread the word about the contribution this very special non-profit makes to the community.

So, it's Throwback Thursday - whether you share it on your blog or just enjoy a look in the rearview mirror for yourself - take the time to savor a few great memories. ​

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