A Cherished Moment

Pictured here are my son and my Mom.

A 12-year-old boy, full of life, laughter, and curiosity—sometimes unsure how to act or what to say when visiting his Nana who has Alzheimer's Disease. And a 75-year-old woman, the living embodiment of kindness, grace, and joy—a Nana whose heart overflowed with adoration for her grandchildren. A precious woman and a precious boy.

The special moment between these two began with a fleeting glance. Mom, always on the move, was about to walk off when she caught sight of Bennett’s face. Her pace slowed, and a smile slowly appeared, warm and wide, as if the sight of him was the only thing that could hold her still. For a moment, she just stood there, looking at him with curiosity and love. Though she no longer recognizes him as her grandson, something in her gaze and the way she lowered herself onto the bench beside him spoke of a deeper connection. An opportunity to share a moment with him, just the two of them.

She was so present, so fully engaged with Bennett, that it took my breath away. What seemed like an ordinary moment was, in reality, extraordinary.

My Mom, whose speech is incoherent, was fully engaged in a conversation with her beloved grandson - communicating in her own unique and special language.

My son, in turn, reciprocated, affirming her responses with words like, "Oh really?' and "Wow!". He met her where she was, and I was so very proud of his emotional maturity and grace.

I was moved to tears because I could clearly see the joy in her eyes and the love in her heart as she spoke to him in her special language.

I was moved to tears by the moment, my heart filled with gratitude as it felt that her connection to Bennett transcended the disease.

I was moved to tears because I had the privilege of paying witness to this precious exchange between two very special people.

A seemingly ordinary moment between a Nana and her grandson, her beloved ‘buddy,’ that was anything but ordinary. It gave us a fleeting glimpse of something far more profound, something I will never take for granted—an unforgettable exchange that reminded me that even amidst the challenges of Alzheimer's, the connection of love remains. It's a beauty found in the smallest moments, a testament to love's enduring nature, and a reminder of the preciousness of the time we are given.