On June 20th, the summer solstice—also known as The Longest Day—I hosted a very special party to support the Alzheimer’s Association. (As a bonus, I think it must have been the Hottest Day, too!) The day was filled with purple decorations, heartfelt conversations, music, memory-making, and so much gratitude.
This cause is personal for me. My mother is living with Alzheimer’s, and seeing her memory fade has helped me become more determined than ever to take photos and record my gratitude. I wanted to do more than raise money—I wanted to keep memories alive!
Thanks to the generous support of so many, I not only hosted a successful party, but I exceeded the fundraising goal of $1,600 and raised almost $2000!
📝 Poems of Gratitude
As my thank-you for contributors, I created a memory book of personalized poems.
📖 Read the “Keep Memories Alive” Poem Book
This ebook is my way of celebrating the power of memory, gratitude, and community. Writing each poem was an act of love—made easier with the help of good ol’ ChatGPT, but, of course, driven by my own personal reflections on the unique gifts of these generous souls.
🎉 Party Highlights
The party included:
- 💜 A photo booth and memory craft corner designed by my grandkids, Diego & Reneya
- 🧘♀️ A calming yoga session led by my daughter, Megan
- 🍇 Purple-themed snacks and delicious blueberry muffins
- 🎧 A VR experience hosted in the basement by my son Scotty!
- 🎶 Music, laughter, and singing
Here are a few favorite photos from the day:
🌿 Final Reflections
Alzheimer’s takes away memories, but it can’t take away love. Thank you to everyone who helped me create new memories on this day. Your kindness, presence, and generosity mean more than I can express.
