An introduction to my time in Greenwich

It's been since October since I moved in with my grandparents in Greenwich Connecticut. They live in a cozy green home with a wrap around porch and have a beautiful garden--when the weather is right, of course--let's just say, its idyllic. Straight from a picture book, idyllic. What stories will unfold here? 

About my move here:

1. I love it.

2. I can't believe this is where I am at the ripe age of 29, quickly approaching the ever-dreaded 30.

3. Who cares?

Facts:

My grandfather has advanced alzheimers.

My step-grandmother is practicing patience.

I am here to work while my husband finishes grad school at Duke (which he finishes in May), and hopefully provide some help around here.

We just adopted an institutionalized, but super-sweet tabby.

I work in publishing.

I am thoroughly, utterly, in all my entirety, happy here. Not sure about a lot of other residents here, but that's for another discussion later.

Yes, I miss my conventional dream of having a house with a pool, two perfect kids, a managerie of animals who were, inevitably to be, just like my children, perfect. But no. My life has taken a turn, quite a turn in fact, like life tends to do. It's now a combination of the people who've always made me feel loved and appreciated, no matter what, and the dream of living/commuting in/to New York City, while trying to make a relationship work from afar. I don't make much money. Actually, that's an understatement; I make nothing. But who cares, I'm having a blast and most importantly, feel fulfilled.

This situation is priceless. I don't know how long it will last, and maybe I've gotten used to living like the vagabond I've become. But, I want to capture these moments with my Grandpa and Step-grandmother. I want to treasure this time I have with some of the most important people I have in my life right now.

May this new journaling initiative be helpful to those who have elderly family members suffering from alzheimers, loneliness, or health issues at all, for that matter. Life goes on, and I'm realizing you just have to take the time that is now, and enjoy it, learn from it. The point of this blog is not to discuss the hardships that come from a loved one who's suffering from something that seems unimaginable, but to harness it, take it for what it is, and leave it. The person you knew is still there, they just don't remember things. Think about those late nights you've had where the details get fuzzy, and you just chalk it up to another fun night on the town. So what's the difference? You lived through college...Do you remember all of it? Think of life that way. That's how alzheimer's is. Don't treat people who may suffer from it differently. They, like anybody, hate to be treated like they're ill-equipped. They've seen more than we've seen or experienced, whether they remember each detail or not doesn't matter. Respect and love, and healthy living, is what keeps families prospering. So, enough lecturing...

This post is long, but I wanted to post a little history behind the inspiration for this blog.