Intro to book "Bits n Pieces of Me: Memoirs to retain identity in the face of growing dementia"

I am from Truthful Loving Kindness:
… from the snug haven of a home created with the anchor of G-d’s truth and the rose of parental love,
inside a greater world of uncertainty, pain, and illusion.

I am from the look in Dad’s eyes as he sang “Have I Told You Lately that I Love You” to my mother.
I am from the look in Mom’s eyes as she cared for him while he died.

I am from “The Chippewa Song”:
I am from a FATHER, exhausted after long hours of working two full-time jobs,
suspending me over his toe-tips while teaching me to dance the swing;
I am from the fun of riding behind Dad in the motorcycle and sidecar,
holding a warm, foil-wrapped baked potato in my lap.
I am from working evenings at Coach Service, fire-lit evenings with his harmonica,
impromptu poems composed at bedtime, … and morning coffee breaks.
I am from the shock of seeing him after cancer surgery, on a breathing machine with tubes coming out of his body;
… from the knowledge that he probably would not live until I reached the age of high school,
… and then from the joy of having him at my graduation ceremony.

I am from “Beautiful, Beautiful Brown Eyes”:
I am from a MOTHER in the housedress of unconditional love,
dancing me to sleep when my tummy hurt.
I am from the love that always had room in the house to care for one more … child,
or one more uncle, or one more great-grandmother.
I am from marshmallow roasts, sledding down the hill by the light of swinging lanterns,
helping with homework, … and quiet good-night prayers.
I am from the smell of homemade bread while warming myself between the old wood cook stove and metal cabinets,
… from the knowledge that she would always be there to share my problems, if I would only let her,
… and then from the joy of learning HOW to better share my life with her.

I am from lots of songs while washing dishes;
I am from whispered girlish secrets in the dark, and gales of giggling in the light,
… from the look in Mom’s eyes the first Sunday that there were only three children to dress for church,
-- instead of four.

I am from funeral songs:
I am from the look in Dad’s eyes when there were only two children,
-- instead of three, … and then …
… from conversations regarding the process of death, regarding the importance of family,
regarding G-d, and what it might be like to live in Heaven.

I am from wedding songs:
… from finding the truth of G-d’s love AND the rose of marital love,
both inside a greater world of uncertainty, pain, and illusion.
I am from the security I feel when I praise G-d, and the answers when I pray.
I am from the look in my husband’s eyes as he holds me up and dances with me in the living room.
I am from the smell of the ocean and the sound of the surf,
…while watching him build our house with his own two hands.

I am from songs sung to my children:
… the Chippewa song, bedtime songs, songs when working, and songs while hurting.
I am from songs to express joy in life and love.
I am from songs to keep my mind off pain.
I am from songs to keep perspective in G-d’s plan.

I am from facing pain, loss – and death -- with truth AND dignity.
I am from facing love, joy – and life -- with kindness AND honesty.

Truthful Loving Kindness
I hope I can pass it on to those around me. (2007-09/16)