I am the worst when it comes to reading books about Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. It’s not that I don’t want to be bothered, it’s just that, well, honestly, I don’t think I’ll be able to get through the book without a bottle of wine and a box of tissues. Then again, this is what this blog is all about: sharing our stories in order to help each other out, to get through the “long goodbye” with a little grace, and hopefully a laugh along the way.

So when I saw this book, I wanted to share it with you. I haven’t read it yet, but this is on my list:

The Majesty of Your Loving; A Couple’s Journey Through Alzheimer’s by Olivia Hoblitzelle

When Olivia and Hob received his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, the enormity of that prospect propelled them to make a pact with one another: they would navigate the illness “consciously and lovingly” to the end. The Majesty of Your Loving: A Couple’s Journey Through Alzheimer’s is their courageous story. Given this couple’s rich background in psychology, Buddhist meditation, and the wisdom traditions, they were able to handle the pain and promise of the illness with unusual thoughtfulness. The author not only writes about the inspirations and spiritual perspectives that sustained them, but gives an intimate account of how they faced loss, crisis, and eventually death. This book has a distinctively positive and uplifting tone, revealing that ultimately their experience was about growing in wisdom and deepening in love. An indispensable guide for anyone dealing with loss, each chapter includes a self-help section with reflections, suggestions, and seed thoughts. This memoir, unique for its inclusive spiritual orientation, provides both hope and practical approaches to anyone dealing with mental loss or diminishment of any kind.