As I walked down the hall towards my mother’s room in the nursing home, I passed a woman who used to live across the street from us in the old neighborhood.   She is also a resident, due to her failing health and cognitive decline, so I always take a moment to chat with her. Today, as I paused, we held hands as a sign of our close friendship. She asked, “Has your mother found her mind, yet?” Taken back by her question, I replied, “I hope so.” Quickly she answered, “I hope so, too.” I began to walk away, then turned and said, “Thank you for hoping with me.”

Surprisingly, that day was the beginning of my mother’s improved clarity. She has maintained her ability to make eye contact, reach for her favorite soft toy and even nod her head in answer. Over the last two weeks, several of the staff and even my sister have commented on her improvement.

I realized that I haven’t expected my mother to improve, only to decline.

Today, someone reminded me of a scripture that made me think of how I’d accepted my mother’s fate and possibly even my own. It took my little friend to put the idea in my head that I was able to hope for more. Not only hope but expect. 2Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” ( NKJV).

Thank you, sweet friend, for pointing me toward hope for a better day and not just accept the death sentence of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

My friend with Early Onset Alzheimer’s disease has this tattooed on her arm. “While there’s life, there is hope.” Agreed. Hope in this life and for the next.