To my specifications.

I see everyday as a venture. Into the unknown. Thereby making life thrilling. Not knowing what’s to come. It’s like living in a storybook. Perhaps a novel. And I’m the protagonist. Not only telling a story. But living it. In a sense, I’m controlling the narrative. By creating my own character. My own being. In essence. Using my imagination. Much as a novelist would. Thereby creating a virtual reality. My own destiny. Making me alive. And fully functional. Free to choose my course. It’s a wonderful feeling. Of living without limits. As if I were god. The creator himself. There’s nothing more fascinating. Than creating my own world. To my specifications. --Jim Broede

A blip along the way.

Dying of Alzheimer’s wasn’t all that bad. For dear Jeanne. The path to death. Was only a small, incidental part of dear Jeanne’s wonderful life. Wouldn’t have made any difference.  If Jeanne had died of a heart attack or a stroke. We all end up dying. Of one thing or another. The important ingredient. Is that we lived. In Jeanne’s case.  For 81 years. Half of them. With us living together. In a rather blissful and loving state. We were true lovers. Separated. In the flesh. For only 10 days. When Jeanne made a trip. With her aunt. To Los Angeles.  Jeanne and I got a big dose of each other. I would have it no other way. In our courtin’ days, I pledged to see Jeanne for 1,000 days in a row. Yes. Yes. A romantic idealist. Capable of doing odd stuff. When I had the flu, left my bed. Knocked on Jeanne’s door. Just so I could keep the string alive. Turns out. It exceeded far more than 1,000 days.  I’m still with Jeanne. In spirit. That’s more than a consolation prize. It’s the meaningful stuff of life. Our life together. Alzheimer’s was merely a little blip along the way. No big deal. No reason to complain. After all, it’s only love that counts--Jim Broede.

Wow!!! Can you believe it?

Everyone one of us. Needs a balanced life. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. And we go about it. In different ways. And with different results. I’m happy. With the route I’ve chosen. It may be unorthodox. But it works for me. I’ve cultivated a wonderful, loving relationship with Cristina. We’re connected. Daily. One way or another. We spend time together. In the flesh. In each other’s homeland. We travel. In Europe and the USA. Unlike some care-givers. I didn’t go very long. With filling the gap. After Jeanne died in 2008.  I linked. Almost immediately. With Cristina. I stayed active. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Still am.  As I age. Gracefully. I’d like to remain young and healthy. Forever.  Won’t happen. But so far, I’ve adjusted. Coped. Mostly in delightful and thrilling ways. That includes writing. Musing. In positive and creative and stimulating ways. Yes. Here I am. Getting ready for another baseball season. With the Chicago Cubs. The opener is March 29. Wow!!! Can you believe it? --Jim Broede