Tag Archives: the longest day

June 20, 2014 · 12:32 pm

Free Alzheimer’s books in honor of The Longest Day

UPDATE: Thank you to all who requested a book. Your copy will be mailed soon. And a big thanks to all of you who participated in The Longest Day.

Today the Alzheimer’s Association sponsors The Longest Day, where from sunrise to sunset everyone is encouraged to participate in Alzheimer’s awareness activism.

Chicken Soup For the Soul: Living With Alzheimer's and Other Dementias

My way of participating this year is to offer a free copy of “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias” to anyone who is interested. I have a limited supply, but I can fulfill several requests. They will be handled on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like me to send to a friend, relative, organization, etc. I am happy to do that as well. I just want these inspirational and moving stories to find a good home where they will be appreciated by others who are on a similar journey.

Rest assured I will never share any contact information with anyone else.

I will cover all shipping costs. Simply email me at joyjohnston.writer@gmail.com or leave the mailing info in the comment section below. I will update this post when I have received the maximum number of requests that I can fulfill.

What are you doing for The Longest Day?

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June 21, 2013 · 10:12 am

Walking for Dad on The Longest Day

This year I actually have the opportunity to participate in the Alzheimer’s Association campaign, The Longest Day. Since this is the day it stays light the longest, today is the perfect opportunity to shine a light on Alzheimer’s awareness from dawn to dusk. Last year I was at work so I couldn’t fully participate, but I had no excuses this year!

Walking the Beltline in Atlanta for Dad on The Longest Day 2013.

Walking the Beltline in Atlanta for Dad on The Longest Day 2013.


People do all sorts of things to honor their loved ones for The Longest Day campaign. People hike, run, swim, ride a bike, just anything to get out there and spread awareness. I chose to walk because Dad loved to take long walks and I do too! I decided to walk the Beltline, which is an exciting project here in Atlanta that is repurposing the long abandoned railroad tracks that still exist around the city and converting them into a walk/run/cycling trail that links up many intown neighborhoods. I was skeptical about the project at first I have to admit, but now that I have experienced one of the first phases of the project, I feel like it’s coming along nicely.

Piper the Beltline Kitty came out to greet me on my walk for Dad!

Piper the Beltline Kitty came out to greet me on my walk for Dad!

Today I walked the Eastside Trail from Piedmont Park in Midtown to Inman Park. Driving that route is almost a five mile trek. But thanks to the Beltline, you can walk there in half that distance. I made it to my destination in about an hour and am writing up this blog post at a neighborhood coffee shop. I’m going to keep spreading Alzheimer’s awareness throughout the day by staying active on social media and doing more walking!

I would love to hear how others are honoring their loved ones and spreading Alzheimer’s Awareness on The Longest Day. To follow the action on Twitter, use the hashtag #thelongestday.

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June 20, 2012 · 7:09 pm

Six months since Dad died

Today is the longest day of the year, in more ways than one for me. On a positive note, while I did not actively participate, I fully support all of those who took part in The Longest Day event sponsored by The Alzheimer’s Association. The stories are so inspiring.

On a sadder note, today is the six month anniversary of my father’s death. It’s hard to believe so much time has passed already. I still think about him often, and not just when I’m writing on this blog. There are still regrets and pangs of guilt to work through.

My parents long ago, before disease caught up to them.

But now, the bad news. My mom has been very ill for over a week now. Symptoms include vomiting (with brown flecks), shortness of breath, bloating and distended stomach, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of appetite and extreme heartburn. My mom has been in very good health (other than depression and grief over Dad) so I’ve been very concerned. Finally she had some tests done, and per my mom, the doctor said there was a problem with her colon. Since the tests were just xrays, I guess the C-word couldn’t be used until Mom gets a colonoscopy, but of course, my mind is racing to the likely conclusion that she has colon cancer. I hope it turns out to be something more treatable, but it looks like surgery may be in her future.

What’s most troubling is that she couldn’t get an appointment to see a specialist until July 12th. Mom hasn’t been able to keep any food down for over a week. She says her regular doctor is supposed to follow up with her regarding nutrition. I hope so!

(I tried calling her doctor but Mom hasn’t filled out the form that allows me to get information so I’m barred per HIPAA from knowing anything. I’m all for privacy rights but at the moment it’s frustrating.)

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