In June while we were in Lubbock, I received an email from Cindi Renner, someone we know from church. She is about out daughter’s age. I think that she became acquainted with Kate when Kate was the church librarian. Kate knew lots of church members and their children because the library did so much with children. Cindi said that she had learned about Kate’s Alzheimer’s and that she had recently lost her mother to the disease. She wondered if she might be a friend to Kate. I wrote back quickly saying that she and I would like that. About 10 days ago following our trip to Chautauqua, Cindi had contacted me about getting together. We set that up for this past Friday.
I knew that Kate would not remember Cindi; so I didn’t tell her that we were going to meet her at Panera. I thought it would be better if we just bumped into Cindi while we were there. I arranged for us to arrive before Cindi. Instead of one of our regular locations I picked out a booth for 4 so that Cindi could join us when she arrived. Before then Kate moved to another chair where we often sit. Cindi saw me first and came over to say hello. The two of us then went over to Kate. I said, “Kate, you remember Cindi Renner.” She picked that up beautifully as perfectly as if she really did remember. I asked Kate to come back to the table where I was seated. She did so without thinking anything of it.
The visit with Cindi was everything and more than I could have expected. Cindi is a warm, friendly person. Kate took to her immediately. We sat there for over an hour and had a beautiful conversation. When Cindi left, Kate told me how much she liked her and, of course, asked me her name again and how we know her.
That afternoon I sent Cindi an email telling her how much Kate had enjoyed being with her and that we looked forward to seeing her again. We received a beautiful handwritten note from her yesterday telling us she had enjoyed it and expressed interest in seeing Kate again.
This experience underscores what I have already believed. Social contact is a real tonic for her and for me as well.
Last night we went to dinner with Mark and Katherine Harrington. We have had lunch with them on several occasions. Kate likes them and also their children who are now grown and living out of state. Mark and Katherine picked us up, and we drove across town to an Italian restaurant they like. It was another good evening.
These experiences remind me that it is time for us to get together with Angela and Marvin Gray sometime soon. I also plan to call Phil Grimball to see if we couldn’t get together with him and Jean Roberts for lunch or dinner sometime. His wife died 2 years ago after almost 20 years with AD. He has offered to help me if I need anything.
