Marvelous Memory

This semester I began volunteering at a nursing home. Prior to a few weeks ago, I had never spent much time around individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. I had briefly learned about the disease in high school; however, most of my thoughts were based off of Hollywood portrayals of the disease.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that destroys brain cells, thus leading to memory loss and issues with behavior and thinking. I was amazed to learn that over 5.3 million Americans are living with the disease and that it is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States.

It’s a very interesting experience to mingle with the different residents at the home. The majority of them suffer from Alzheimer’s but for each of them the disease is at various stages. Some appear to have their memory perfectly in tact while others seem to live in their own imaginary world. I have truly enjoyed the conversations that I have had during my visits. The conversations range from heart-felt and emotional to totally outrageous, but they are always entertaining and enjoyable.

Socializing with several individuals affected by the disease has truly made me thankful for my youth and my memory. Both, my memory and my youth, are things that I typically pay little attention to; however, every time I leave the nursing home I feel increasingly blessed for my good health. I think sometimes its good to get a dose of reality in order to make you count your blessings and appreciate the life you’re living.

2010 Olympic Torch Relay

In anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympics, in Vancouver, the Olympic Torch began its relay through the host country on October 30, 2009. The Olympic Flame visited more than 1,000 communities during its 106-day journey. Utilizing all forms of transportation, land, air, and water, during its venture across the vast country.

Over Winter Break, I was lucky enough to experience the Olympic Flame as it was carried through my homeland. Though, I have resided in the United States for the majority of my life I am a Canadian citizen. Every year, my family spends Christmas in Canada. This year our stay happened to coincide perfectly with the date when the Olympic Flame was scheduled to make its run through our town.

Canada truly embraced The Olympic Torch Relay prior to these Olympic games. The relay was a tool used to build up excitement for the 2010 games… and it worked! I watched the torch being run through the town among hundreds of pumped up Canadians. The Olympic Flame united each and every town it came through. My family and I bundled up and braced the northern temperatures that are characteristic of January up in the great white north and took part in the festivities surrounding the torch relay. The downtown area of my small cottage town just north of Toronto turned into one great big party. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so happy I got to be a part of the 2010 Winter Olympics!