I had amazing mother - she was gifted, impulsive, artistic, intuitive - drove me crazy and I miss her terribly. She passed in November of 2006. One of the last things we did together - she bought Obama's book 'Audacity of Hope'. We debated both Hillary Clinton versus Obama. She really identified with Hillary - and that it was her turn - but she was beginning to swayed by the brilliance and hopefulness of Obama. She would have so enjoyed the primaries - we would have had some heated discussions.
And she had Alzheimer's disease.
I don't know when this happened with her but in the last years of her life she was a political junkie. For the readers that don't know about Alzheimer's disease - and don't apologize - I thought I knew about the disease was - until I watched my mother suffer with it. You really can't know - it rips you apart to watch the progression of the disease. When I visited I would bring her a New York Times - this was her greatest treat. I watched her struggle to maintain her independence - there were days it was difficult for her to remember that she needed to eat and breathe. But what was the most important thing that I could do help her maintain her independence and dignity - for that was her wish.
Senator Biden did a town hall in Florida early September. One attendee asked about Alzheimer's.
Here is the link starting at 39:00 is the question and answer - if I had any doubts - this would have sealed it for me.
Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) Town Hall Meeting
Biden ' ...We want those families that can keep their mom and dad with them or stay in their own home as long as possible, if that is their parents wish. We believe not only is it morally correct but economically smarter to reimburse in a way those people who are taking care of their parents ... Making the opportunity their son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter to provide that love, affection and care if they are capable...'
He goes on - about research ...- all I can say is it made me weep - he gets it.
Check out 54:00 mark Biden talks about early childhood education - pretty awesome.
Life is good.
Thanks for listening.