This is a page about some very special people I have met on the Internet. If you are at this site it means that more than likely you already know them by visiting their pages! They are the Top Site listings for Alzheimer's and I am honored to have been able to get to know them! I consider all of them my sisters!! A few of them I have even gotten to meet in real person!!!!! (and I am working on meeting the rest!)
 

Marsha (Tay)
Marsha cared for her mom for many years while enduring the decline of Alzheimer's. Her mom is now resting in the arms of God but her legacy lives on through the pages her daughter has chosen to share with the world! Please be sure to visit her site at this address: ALZHEIMER'S OUTREACH I first met Marsha through her pages....I was a new kid on the block and had just found a whole world of information concerning Alzheimer's there. I was also a new poet and she kindly posted a few of my poems! THANKS TAY!!!!! Thanks from all the millions of people who go to your site and come away much richer and enlightened!!!!! I LOVE YOU! I wrote a poem in honor of Babe and would like to share it with you.

Marsha and Babe

TODAY

Today the angels in heaven will rejoice,
For they have seen the arrival of another voice!
A special mother called "Babe" has joined them there,
To touch the face of God and his love to share.

God in his great love had loaned her here,
And for what seemed a fleeting moment we held her near.
Time always seems much too short with the ones we love,
Until we are called to return to God above.

Her time here on earth was not wasted you see,
For she lived it to the fullest while waiting for what was to be.
All of her years were spent teaching great love,
To a daughter she had born...her gift from above!

She knew she had done well and with no regret,
Etched in time ..... her time was set.
Gods great plan was always there,
When he sent a very special woman, "BABE" to share.

Those who knew her will never forget,
For etched in their hearts are memories set.
She passed this way and she spread her love,
and when she returned to God above,

She left a little of her heart below.
For those who knew her ... to continue to sow.
The lessons she taught, the great love she gave,
Will continue to spread as an ocean wave.

The daughter she held so very dear,
Will always be in her heart so near.
Her legacy lives on through "her" special gift.
Her spirit will continue to help others and uplift.

Listen close and you may hear her voice
as now in heaven with the angels she can rejoice!

Dedicated to "Babe"
© Brenda Race 2000
 

Brenda
I first met Bren (as I refer to her since my name is also Brenda...makes it less confusing when we are all in a chat room!) thru PASSAGE. That was a support group formed by Dorothy Womack for caregivers! Bren is a librarian and soon became known as the BRAINS of the bunch! If we needed info she was off and running to collect it before we could BLINK! Bren has tried to teach me the basics of HTML but to no avail....BIG MENTAL BLOCK! SORRY BREN! She also became the singing sister while we were on PASSAGE. She provided a song for our weary hearts every night as we were tucked in! Bren also has a HUGE site with tons of information on Alzheimer's.... be sure to check out her site at this address: A YEAR TO REMEMBER
I got to meet Bren in Nov. of 99 and again in July of 2000! Bren if I had awards to give....you would be at the top of my list for the care and concern you show to all you meet! I LOVE YOU BREN

Dorothy, Bren and Brenda  Nov. 99
Brens mom
 

NANCZE
I also met Nancze through the support group PASSAGE. She had just started a page on the internet...wanted just one page with info on Alzheimer's to help those in need! She has added and added until you best have a long break if you want to cover it all! Her site is wonderful and full of graphics she has made all on her own. Be sure to drop in on her at this address: CAREGIVERS HAVEN
Although I haven't met Nancze in person yet (The plans are in the works) we talk almost everyday by way of the computer. She is one of the major reasons I now have a web site of my own. She walked me through the easy way (Sorry Bren...I just couldn't get that HTML...was all greek to me!)  and gently kicked my butt to get me started! THANKS SIS! Nancze works in a Nursing Home where she has plenty of experience in caregiving. She can also lift your soul as you go through her pages and find the presence of God there! Way to go SIS!!!!! Below is also a poem I wrote for Nancze. I LOVE YOU SIS...MANY HUGS

Jerry and Nancze

A MOTHER’s LOVE

I know the pain you feel today
Sending your son upon his way
Into a world that seems so lost
To hold him tight to you at all cost

So many things we look back and see
That first tooth he cut, the pain of a scratched knee
and you vowed then that you would
forever hold him close as long as you could

But the years have flown and he has grown
into a man you never thought. The seeds you have sown
will help him find his way into the world outside
The word of God in his mind will always abide

You have done your job and now it is time
even though it seems there is no rhyme
to let him go and try his wings
to see the world and try new things

and you will know you have done your best
when you stand up and see the test
you gave him values and the love of a mother
and taught him to always be kind to one another

You have sent him out with an Angel and a prayer
and deep inside he knows that you care
So even though your job is done
He will always be your son

For a mother is always there
and you can be truly proud of the son you share
with the world and all he encounters on his way
and in your heart he will always stay.

Written For Nancy A Sister I love ©1999 Brenda Race
 

DeDe
I am not real sure of when I first met DeDe .... and although that minor detail has slipped my mind I could NEVER forget her! She cared for her mom who had Alzheimer's until Dec. of 98 when she went home to the Lord. We have shared many stories over the computer and several times on the phone. She is a very supportive and caring person and if she knew how to keep a computer running ***GRINS*** she might even have her own web site!!!!! DeDe works in a flower shop besides looking after her family so we rarely get to talk now but ..... someday I am going to make it to New Mexico and meet her also!!!! LOVE YA DEDE

DeDe's mom and DeDe

Kate
Another PASSAGE sister! Kate was always the one who had an uplifting word to say when any questions or problems came up! With great insight, she could explain the why or the hows! Kate is also a nurse and was caregiver to both her mom and dad! I got to meet Kate when I lived in NY...she lives in Pennsylvania and Dorothy and I met her at a half way destination! She leads a very busy life right now and has been helping to also care for a dear friend who is ill....another example of a very caring and generous person!!!! LOVE YOU KATE!! Be sure to visit her home page here: KATES PLACE

Dorothy, Kate and Brenda

Carolyn
Yet another PASSAGE sister. Carolyn took care of her husband Chuck at home until she could no longer do it. Chuck now resides in a nursing home and Carloyn has taken on a huge task in working to bring an awareness to the people about the devastation that Alzheimer's brings. She has a web site which you need to also visit....SHEKINAH GLORY
While a member of PASSAGE Carolyn became known as the wake-up call in the morning. She made sure that each of us saw the brand new day as a fresh new start and put us through our paces by exercising! LOVE YA Carolyn!!!! I wrote the following poem for Carolyn.

Carolyn

THE LONG ROAD
The road has been long and hard my dear
But I want you to know you have nothing to fear
for I am with you and there I will stay
Hope for the future and a much brighter day

The tie that binds your loved one and you
will not be undone for it is not held by glue
there is something much stronger that cannot be seen
and nothing will separate you or come between

It is the love of the spirit deep within each of you
that will hold you together for the spirit is true
as you trudge down this road just follow your heart
for nothing or no one can tear you apart

Reach out and take my hand as you go
the road may seem rough but we will go slow
so that every obstacle we will surmount
until it is obvious and there is no more doubt.
Written for Carolyn © 1999 Brenda Race

I hope you have enjoyed meeting my sisters...They have given me many hours of laughter and most of all LOVE.. they have been lights to show the way when I was in the midst of a very hard struggle. I THANK THEM ALL for their friendships. I also thank my mom for without her I would never have met them!!!!

Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer.
- Ed Cunningham
Here are some sites which are a must see if you are looking for information on Alzheimer's or just need to find a very special friend...all written by very special people!

PASSAGE INTO PARADISE by DOROTHY WOMACK
THRU HIS EYES by TIM BRENNAN
A Year to Remember by Brenda Parris Sibley
Caregivers Haven by Nancy Walker
Alzheimers Outreach by Marsha Penington
Kate’s Place by Catherine Murphy
Empowering Caregivers by Gail Mitchell

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