Give it time.

My neighbors. Rick and Julie. Back in Minnesota. Are starting to learn to live. Focused primarily on each other. For a change. It hasn't been that way. For a long time. Six years or more. Because they've cared for Julie's Alzheimer-riddled parents. In their home. Julie's mother died. Almost two years ago. But her father Ron still lives. In a very good five-bed residential care center.  He gets lots of daily one-on-one stimulation. Mentally and physically. Which means Rick and Julie can get away. For extended vacations. Two weeks. Maybe more. Without having to worry about Ron. Though Julie will continue to worry. To some degree. But still, it's a good sign. That she's willing to travel. To focus. On what's been neglected. For far too long. Neglect of one's self. And one's other vital relationships. That's always a danger. For Alzheimer care-givers. Rick and Julie are even talking about coming to Sardinia. To paradise. For well-deserved respite.  Yes, care-givers, another sign. That life gets better. Give it time. --Jim Broede