This page is dedicated
to my mom, Frances I. Willmart, Vivian Hanby, mother of Dorothy Womack,
Jesse L. Parris, mother of Brenda Parris Sibley, "Babe", mother of Marsha
Penington, and Bob Oerline, husband of Joann Oerline.They all fought the
battle against Alzheimer's disease. It was a battle as real as any war
taking place on any land..... with one exception... this enemy cannot be
seen or shot down. The battle they fought was inside themselves where this
enemy strikes. They may have had loved ones who stood by their side but
still.... it was a battle only they knew from the inside out...we were helpless to watch as they tried to fight this unseen enemy.
My goal is to place the name
of every AD victim I know on this page .... a dedication for all of the
unsung heroes who fought a war of their own ... who may not have conquered
lands and enemys along the way ... but instead touched hearts and forever
changed them ... gave each of their caregivers much more than they ever
took from them...and continue to live on in the memories of those who were left behind!
THE UNSEEN ENEMY
You fought this battle well
my friend
...........until the very
end
An enemy you could not see
until one day .... you were
set free
Like a solider in a battle,
you fought with all your might
some stood all alone ....
no loved ones left in sight
but onward you marched until
the very end
the silent enemy lurking at
every single bend
Yes, you held your head up
high until you could no more
and then one day you saw it...the
gleam on a distant shore
While holding on to loved
ones hands
you reached out to the one
who stands
Upon the other side. As gently
as a dove
He guided you along .... giving
you his total love
The enemy was lost .... the
battle you have won
When you reached out and took
the hand of God's only son!
Your name is written in his
book
you have now regained all
that the enemy took
You fought the battle well
my friend
For you see .... you really
won in the end.
You were our mother, father,
sister or brother
A good friend, a spouse, a
son or even someones daughter
We will not forget you as
we hold you in our heart
For not even this silent enemy
can keep our souls apart
Upon this wall we etch your
name with LOVE
So others may have hope as
you watch now from above
You are an unsung hero who
fought the battle well
And now stand on heavens shore
where forever you will dwell
© Brenda Race 2001
