I remember…Jake had an infectious laugh and a heartwarming soul that drew in everyone around him. He was kind and gentle and took a very relaxed approach to life – something that I tried to emulate. Everyone seemed to love being around Jake, and he saw the good in everyone he met. And he was a natural athlete. I remember trying to figure out how to run 3 miles without feeling terrible afterwards, and he would just lace up his running shoes and take off. Not that he had been skilled in any particular sport by that point – he just seemed to be able to do that and was baffled that people found it impressive. And in addition, as a semi-professional drummer, even as the disease ravaged his body, he could still play like he was never ill if someone placed drumsticks in his hands. And every day, when I would ask him how his day was, he responded, without fail, “Today was a very good day.”
Submitted by Karen Friend
Cure Alzheimer’s Fund Board of Trustees