It wasn’t too long ago that I shared with readers about my grandfather and my family’s struggle with his Alzheimer’s Disease.

Thursday, September 14, 2000

It wasn’t too long ago that I shared with readers about my grandfather and my family’s struggle with his Alzheimer’s Disease.

At the time, more funding was earmarked by the government for research.

Well, now it’s your turn to help fund Alzheimer’s Disease research.

Each year, the Alzheimer’s Association hosts Memory Walks around the state. On Tuesday, concerned citizens will be walking around Mill Pond, from 3-6 p.m.

While some participants will have collected pledges, others may just want to give a donation at the start of the walk. Still others may not have much to give but their support and their presence. I guarantee all contributions will be appreciated.

Unfortunately, I doubt I will be able to make it to the walk. I was hoping to make it an annual event since my experience at the Duluth walk last year, but it’s hard to leave the office at 3 p.m. on what is generally the busiest day of my week.

So, someone please do a lap in honor of my wonderful grandfather Rudy, an honorable man whom I think about everyday.

I made the trek to Duluth last September specifically to participate in the Memory Walk down the city’s beautiful Park Point. I pestered my co-workers – at the time it was the great folks at the Albert Lea Tribune – to gather enough pledges to get a lovely white T-shirt, which I later ruined by washing it with some red shirts.

My mother Ruth Anne; twin sister, Sharla; aunt, Julie and cousin, Brenda joined me on the walk, which was just blocks from the nursing home where Grandpa had spent his final days.

It was very therapeutic to be surrounded by so many kind people who experienced in the past or currently were going through what my family did.

A large white tablet on an easel was set up for participants to write a message or say good bye to a loved one.

I simply wrote, "I got your nose!" That was the quickest way my grandfather got my sisters and I to erupt in giggles – to pinch our noses and reveal his thumb between his first two fingers. He always offered to put our noses back on.

I invite everyone who is affected by Alzheimer’s Disease in some manner to attend the Memory Walk on Tuesday. It’s a good time to share some memories with family and friends. And it’s for a great cause.

Shawnda Schelinder is the associate editor of the Austin Daily Herald. Her columns appear on Sundays.