Thanks to my cousin Nancy, I will be joining her in the Walk for Alzheimer's  on May 24 as part of her team, The Memory Keepers, in memory of her dad (my uncle).

Here's why....

With Easter knocking at the door, my thoughts turn to Tio Zé.

For the first twentyish years of my life, he was a permanent fixture at every holiday meal. As the eldest of my mother’s siblings, he claimed the head of the table as his royal throne—it didn’t matter whose house we were in, that seat was his by divine right.

Before a single dish hit the table, Tio Zé would take his seat and wait while the rest of us would pick our spots from the leftover chairs.

In most families, holiday dinners start with Grace: a heartfelt thank-you for the food… a moment to appreciate life and the wonderful people we’re about to share a meal with—all that lovely stuff.

Not in our house.

In those days, every single dinner began with Tio Zé slowly scanning the table, flashing that mischievous grin, and declaring:

“I haven’t eaten for three days!” 

That was our cue to dig in.

Amen, Tio Zé. Amen

As we got older, our family expanded, and the gatherings became less frequent, so we didn’t see each other as much, but I would get updates from my mother—“Tio Zé is getting forgetful.” “Tio Zé got lost today.” “Tio Zé has Alzheimer’s.” WTF is that? Part of aging, I assumed… you get old and start forgetting shit…. No big deal.

My first post-diagnosis visit seemed to confirm my thoughts. He lit up and greeted me with his usual, “Casanova!” He knew who I was, so obviously there was nothing to worry about. In subsequent visits, he no longer remembered me and by my last visit, he was sitting in a blue chair, unable to feed himself and unaware that I was in the room.

Since that initial 'WTF' moment, it feels as though we are surrounded by this disease. It's become all too common to hear from friends about relatives living with Alzheimer’s and how it’s impacting their lives. In our family, two aunts have also succumbed to the illness, and after a diagnosis in 2023, my mother reluctantly joined the ranks of those affected by dementia.

As more and more people are affected, the demand for Alzheimer Society programs and services is skyrocketing. These are the kinds of services that make a huge difference—helping people manage the disease and still live life to the fullest. Let’s be honest, at this rate, you or I might be next in line. So if you’ve got a few bucks lying around, toss them in the donation box. Future you will thank you. Appreciate it!

David