Susan Sontag talks about the “kingdom of illness” as a place that a person and family enter when a devastating disease hits.  This is a place others enter gingerly, eager to return to the life of the living.  It is a place that will define you despite your best efforts to resist.  That is where we seem  find ourselves at present. 

Jill’s week is as busy and engaged as we can currently make it.  She volunteers at our Church preschool four days a week.  On Thursdays she also goes to a children’s library our Church runs in a residential hotel in Tucker.  On Fridays she goes to Arts for Alzheimer’s at the Spruill Center in Dunwoody.  She also spins twice a week with her friend, Karen.  Weekend evenings are often spent in the company of good friends. 

None of these things happen without the help and support from good friends and family members.  Our good friend Ann works at the preschool and transports Jill as well as having her in her class.  Sandra, a church member sits with her at the library.  Brother, Kirk helps transport Jill to the library and to Arts for Alzheimer’s.  Friend, Karen often transports Jill home from spinning.  Countless others have given of their time to keep us involved.  We are immensely grateful to these and other good friends. 

Jill has been struggling more lately as the disease progresses.  She is less on task at the preschool and requires more structure and support.  At home, she is more disoriented; both her short term and long-term memory are declining.  We adjust as the situation warrants.  Watch this space for updates.