Kick Butt Coffee
Doesn't Regularly Read the 'Chronicle'
RECEIVED Mon., June 14, 2004
Dear Editor,
Larry King is part of dad's daily routine.
Veering too far from his routine is an invitation to disaster.
And only those who embrace those with Alzheimer's really know what I'm talking about.
The end of the show was dedicated to a video montage of photographs of President Reagan, his friends, his family, and his beautiful wife.
America has been made better by the presence of President Reagan.
I never knew that one day Alzheimer's disease would touch my family, too.
When I saw Mrs. Reagan rest her face on your coffin, I could almost
sense the incredible loss and exhaustion she was feeling.
When she gently touched the beautiful United States flag that draped your coffin, I felt like she was finally saying goodbye, letting go, and setting you free.
The photos of both of you warmed my heart beyond belief.
What I felt was chilling and it was a feeling – some sense of great peace.
My dad, who is typically unresponsive to any stimuli, paused for a
moment to show me the goose bumps on his arms and legs.
My dad recognized this enormous loss and we both shed tears together.
For the very first time in my life I shared tears with my father – just one moment in this lifetime where I found myself in a special place with my dad.
I will treasure that forever.
My dad never liked sweets but now thrives on strawberry jelly beans.
My dad always loved Westerns but now prefers gospel themes.
This disease, called Alzheimer's, is honestly mean.
It takes all that you have and leaves you completely empty.
Eventually you'll not know anyone, even the mirror won't reveal anything.
This is so much more than merely being forgetful and it's
not just an "old persons" disease.
This disease, called Alzheimer's, is a monster and a Goddamn thief.
You are already missed, my dear President Reagan.
And God bless you, Nancy.
You are a modern day hero to my dad and I.
Thank you for the goose bumps, thanks for the memories.
Larry King is part of dad's daily routine.
Veering too far from his routine is an invitation to disaster.
And only those who embrace those with Alzheimer's really know what I'm talking about.
The end of the show was dedicated to a video montage of photographs of President Reagan, his friends, his family, and his beautiful wife.
America has been made better by the presence of President Reagan.
I never knew that one day Alzheimer's disease would touch my family, too.
When I saw Mrs. Reagan rest her face on your coffin, I could almost
sense the incredible loss and exhaustion she was feeling.
When she gently touched the beautiful United States flag that draped your coffin, I felt like she was finally saying goodbye, letting go, and setting you free.
The photos of both of you warmed my heart beyond belief.
What I felt was chilling and it was a feeling – some sense of great peace.
My dad, who is typically unresponsive to any stimuli, paused for a
moment to show me the goose bumps on his arms and legs.
My dad recognized this enormous loss and we both shed tears together.
For the very first time in my life I shared tears with my father – just one moment in this lifetime where I found myself in a special place with my dad.
I will treasure that forever.
My dad never liked sweets but now thrives on strawberry jelly beans.
My dad always loved Westerns but now prefers gospel themes.
This disease, called Alzheimer's, is honestly mean.
It takes all that you have and leaves you completely empty.
Eventually you'll not know anyone, even the mirror won't reveal anything.
This is so much more than merely being forgetful and it's
not just an "old persons" disease.
This disease, called Alzheimer's, is a monster and a Goddamn thief.
You are already missed, my dear President Reagan.
And God bless you, Nancy.
You are a modern day hero to my dad and I.
Thank you for the goose bumps, thanks for the memories.
Sincere Regards,
Peter Vincent Cannice
Phoenix, Ariz.
Peter Vincent Cannice
Phoenix, Ariz.
