Cherish the Little Moments

By:Michelle Remold

Little moments make up our lives. Letters, flowers, hugs, gifts, laughter, smiles, and more help make up memories. I can think of many big moments that are important to me including high school graduation, college graduation, getting my driver’s license, my first job and more. When I take time to really think about it though, I realize that these big moments are actually made up of little moments or memories. When it came to the big moments it was actually spending time with family, sharing stories, laughing, smiling, and just spending time together were what made these moments memorable.

I think that when it comes to having loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia these are the things that need to be focused on, especially as the disease progresses. When my grandpa was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s he showed me his photo albums from World War II and told me the stories behind each one. This is one of my favorite memories of my grandpa. As the disease progressed, these moments became fewer and fewer. However his laugh and smile made all the memories I have of him as his Alzheimer’s progressed are what make them great memories.

At the end of the day I have come to realize that no matter what the memory, it’s all the small moments that make them great memories.  As Jack Layton once said, “Cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey.”  I think this is what makes good memories, great memories.