Once upon a time, in a far away valley, beyond the farthest mountains and over the bluest sea, lived a woman, just an ordinary woman. This woman had lived her life to the fullest. She had married a good man. The marriage brought many children into the world and it was good.
Now, this woman had seen her share of heartache. She watched loved ones march off to war. Some returned and there was joy. Others did not, and there was sorrow. After, many years, this kind old woman wept when her husband passed. But, with the help of her children, she learned to find joy again.
Then, one beautiful Spring day, evil came to her small valley. The evilness had a name. It was called Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's was in all of the medical text books. After all, it was just a disease. But, it was so much more than just a disease. Its evilness was revealed each morning as her family saw what the thief had stolen from her as she slept. At first it was a name here, the memory of a face there. Soon, the woman forgot where she lived. And the names of her children. Eventually, she became a stranger to herself.
But, through it all, the woman was kind and loving to those around her. Even as the disease devastated her mind, and eventually her body, she had love and kindness in her heart. Her kindness survived the disease and its wickedness. Her children gathered around her and cherished each day with her. They knew that soon their dear mother would pass on and reach for the hand of their departed father. And they would grieve for her while celebrating the woman that they knew.
And kindness lived happily ever after.
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