Joyce Lenz—loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandma—wrote this honest, heart-wrenching poem in 2012 at the beginning of her decade-long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Memories
“Memories—misty water-colored memories“
These lyrics haunt me as each
day my memory fades,
the moments of the present become
the past that wades
in waterfalls of forgetfulness and
shades of graying days.
Familiar faces become nameless,
conversations strained,
as the give and take of relating
slowly seems to drain.
Silence is the answer to emotions
that unfold.
Please don’t tell me it’s just
“part of growing old.”
Old is just another stage and it’s only
saving grace
is to feel and know with
each hearts beat
the young woman inside had
a dream come true
in its own time and place. ❤️
10 years later, on May 24, 2022, Joyce wandered from her home in northern Wisconsin and despite extensive search and rescue efforts she has not been found. This has been devastating for her family and friends. We are planning a Celebration of Life for Joyce this May, one year after her disappearance, and in her honor would also like to support a mission of finding a cure for this heart-breaking disease so that together we can help ease the suffering of others and their families.
We have chosen Cure Alzheimer’s Fund as 100% of donations go directly to research. Cure Alzheimer’s Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research with the highest probability of preventing, slowing, or reversing Alzheimer’s disease.
Please join us in supporting this worthy cause and honoring Joyce.