Remember My Photo: 7 Years without You.....

Dear Grandma Bev,

You earned your angel wings 7 years ago on February 24, 2012. I held you as you left and made your way to heaven. You were an amazing woman whom I loved to laugh with and share future goals. Guess what? I inherited your strong independence and your fierceness for pursuing my interests. You loved to hear about what I was “doing next”. Since your departure, I have had two sons who are adorable. You would have loved to hold them and play with them as a great-grandma. I remember how you loved to take me to see your mom & dad (my great grandma and grandpa Orr). I had the pleasure to get to know them as I got older. It saddens me that you did not get the same opportunity to meet your great grandchildren. Since you departed I have been an Alzheimer’s advocate in the fight to help bring awareness and find a cure. Your story is one that you shared alone on your journey before you left, but now families and friends are talking about this disease. There is no more shame, there is a story to be told by all who are living through Alzheimer's, or who caretake for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. I have traveled to Washington D.C. and spoken with senators to get bills passed so more money can be allocated towards research funding to find treatments and a cure. I have supported my local Alzheimer's chapter for our annual fundraiser for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. I have supported Hilarity for Charity, which raises money as a 5013c. I have started a blog about this awful disease. I have shared your story/our story and the tragic ending that unfolded. I have cried dozens of tears over your loss. Visited your gravesite several times in Idaho. I have buried your son (my father) who died 3 years after you. I have been angry that you suffered for so long, but I have been happy that you are no longer suffering. Through your guidance on the other side of this life, I have gradualey felt less pain over lossing you but it still hurts and that hurt will never leave. I think about you all the time. I have met some incredible people during my Alzheimer's advocacy journey including Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller-Rogen, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Senator Harry Ried & Chris Maloney. I have met other amazing family and friends that are on the same journey that I was once on before you left. Nikki and Ken Dodson & Carmine. I have won over-all Platform Awards for Woman of Achievement. for my Alzheimer's work. I have made earrings and magnets named after you called Beverly’s angels. They are purple. I sell most of them at a non-profit in Elk City, Idaho. I am currently finishing my masters degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Nevada, Reno. The new viewpoint I brought to this topic was the amount of inmates that are not diagnosed with Alzheimer's and who are more prone to Alzheimer’s. I won a preliminary 3MT speech award last year on the topic thesis topic of Alzheimer’s and Inmates. The next thing I would like to do is create an annual fundraiser in my hometown. It will take work, but I am looking forward to that being my next accomplishment for Alzheimer's advocacy. Thank you for your inspiration. Thank you for being in my life. My goals have not been completed yet. There is much more work to be done. But until we meet again, I just wanted you to know that I miss you and I love you. I hope your getting some good laughs up in heaven.

Love you Grandma Bev.

Love, Brooke

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