One thing that Alzheimer’s couldn’t erase was the overwhelming amount of gratitude Mitzi had for the big and little things. I asked her once if there was ever anything she could think of that she was thankful for with Alzheimer’s. She hardly thought for more than a few moments before telling me that it had humbled her and made her appreciate quality time with people because nothing else mattered. I asked if it had made her more compassionate and she told me it definitely had.
It would have been so easy for her to answer that nothing about Alzheimer’s was worth being grateful for. But that’s not how Mitzi was.
There has been so much evidence that has shown the tremendous benefit of gratitude on one’s attitude. Despite the fact that there is a hole in many hearts this holiday season from Mitzi’s absence, I’m reminded to take a tip from her and am looking for things to be grateful for in the midst of all circumstances.
May we all find things to be thankful for this holiday season, making an extra effort to follow Mitzi’s advice and remember what truly matters in the end…????
