Sometimes it feels like we lost her a while ago, but I still miss my mom. I can’t do enough to thank the people who have supported me over the years, even those who might not have known it. Friends, friends’ parents, teachers, coaches, extended family, sorority sisters, coworkers, thank you to all. Thank you for listening when I needed to talk. Thank you for being patient when I needed space. There’s no easy way to explain the Alzheimer’s progression, so thank you for understanding when I shrugged my shoulders after you asked how she was doing. While this journey hasn’t been easy, I am forever grateful for the people in my life who have helped me grow into the person I am today.

Even though I was 10 when my mom was diagnosed, I still feel lucky to have a lot of great memories with her, especially the hours we spent talking in the car. I know how much she loved me and wanted the best for me. Growing up without my mom was hard, but I am so thankful for the family and friends who were always there for me.

I would like to say thank you to my family, friends, and colleagues for their support over these last several years. Words can’t express my love and gratitude to Liz and Eric, who have given Lynn and I their love, help, and patience over the last 10 years or so. Additionally, I need to thank my partners at Valley Anesthesiology Consultants, and also the OR staff at several of the facilities where I have worked over the years, especially at Good Samaritan where Lynn once worked, and where we met. Whether you guys were aware of my circumstances or not, and I hope it was the latter, you have all been of help, occasionally immense help, in allowing me to navigate my professional and personal life since 2009. Special thanks to Alice and Ginny in the office. Without you, I simply could not have pulled this off. Thanks to Aubrey, my boss and friend, who could and did make it rain for Lynn and I when needed, and probably did much more for us that I’m not even aware of. It’s been a privilege to be associated with such great partners and staff.