My Grandma, My Inspiration

by Lauren Orlofsky

Grandma, you have been gone for over three years

During the last years of your life, you lived many people’s greatest fears

You had Alzheimer’s disease and would often forget

Who people were and what your relationship meant

You would feel sad and start to cry

Feeling frustrated and not knowing why

It was so hard to see you this way

Forgetting a little more each day

Trying to make sense of things, but getting confused

Making your confidence and happiness severely bruised

But I will always remember my wedding day and how you were there

For this day you were not upset or in despair

You were the last face I saw when I walked down the aisle

And during the reception you danced with a huge smile

I miss you grandma and I always will

There are days that I mourn for you still

I’ve decided, though, to take my sadness of losing you

To help hopefully more than just a few

I am back in school and am studying social work

Helping those like you is a wonderful perk

I will help people like you who cannot remember

The joys and love that they have had forever

I will provide therapy and a loving ear

In memory of you, who were so dear

Lauren Orlofsky is a student working on her master’s degree in social work at Michigan State University in the gerontology certification program. She looks forward to providing therapy, a listening ear, and a loving heart to older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or using her previous special education background to help people with developmental disabilities.