To Love & To Cherish.

"...to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

I hate Alzheimer's. Oh, I hate it.

I hate that it strips you from your ability to think. To remember. To talk. To be. 

My great grandma Elizabeth passed away, after a very long battle with Alzheimer's disease. In a matter of 10 years, she went from a woman with so much heart to laying in a nursing home, recognizing no one.

After I found out about her passing, I went to the house I lived in throughout college. The house belonged to my grandparents before they moved into the nursing home. Many of the furniture is still theirs, and I have always loved it. My favorite pieces are the large dining room table that can comfortably seat 12, and the matching china cabinet, full of Grandma's dishes. I opened the china cabinet and breathed in deep. It was so refreshing. Lots has changed since they lived there, but it still smells like them. As I stood there, taking it all in, I remembered my grandma.

My Grandma Liz was one of the kindest people on this earth. She truly was a blessing to anyone she met. I've always known that, of course. But this week, I have been reminded over and over of all the ways she left her mark on this earth.

She was a remarkable lady who devoted her life to serving others. I'm sure many people in this world could speak about how Elizabeth Megli helped them out in some way, whether that be through teaching them to make Christmas ornaments or leading them to the Lord. She had a gift that most people just don't have. 

I want to share the four most important lessons my grandma taught me. 

#1. Dress up. 

My grandma was fancy. As a very talented seamstress, she was very trendy. She had a different broach for every day of the week, every season, and every holiday. She had a headscarf to match her outfits. She had appliquéd sweatshirts with butterflies on them. She even had gold shoes, which in my book is a sign of a true fashionista. And she never left the house looking anything short of fabulous. 

#2. You can do anything, as long as you have a glue gun. 

That picture won't stay on the wall? Add some glue. The Christmas ornaments keep falling from the tree? Glue them to the branches. Your favorite necklace clasp broke? Nothing a bit of glue can't fix. My grandma was literally invincible with a glue gun in her hand. 

#3. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 

My grandma lived to the age of 93, and her breakfast of choice was a Snickers candy bar and a can of Dr. Pepper. I blame her for my need of caffeine in the form of Coca-Cola when I wake up in the morning. 

#4. Choose your husband wisely.

74 wonderful years after my grandparents said their vows, my grandpa still loved and cherished his wife. He made the choice to remain faithful, in sickness and health. He loved her unconditionally like Christ loves the church. I thank God for my grandparents' marriage. The example they lead was one to brag about, and one to hope for. My eyes fill with tears as I type because I'm so grateful that their love withstood the tests of time. And though Alzheimer's is harsh, my grandpa didn't let that break his vows. Not only did he vow to love her through sickness and health, but also until death do they part. He kept those vows, and in today's world, that is often hard to find. In my grandma's final moments, I stood by her bed to say goodbye. I noticed her gold wedding ring still on her finger. Nursing homes, Hospitals, Alzheimer's can't end a marriage. 

I pray with all that I am that my future marriage will be like my grandma and grandpa's was. I pray that through good times and bad, we will remember those vows and choose to honor them. I pray that I will love like Jesus.

Some people want a relationship like a love story out of a movie.

I want a love story like Howard and Liz.

I'm grateful for the life-lessons my grandma taught me. They will stick with me forever, just like the memories.

I'm counting my blessings today.

And though it's bittersweet, I'm also grateful that Grandma Liz is no longer in pain, and instead, counting the jewels on her crown in Heaven. It's hard to be sad when someone is finally whole again. 

I pray that none of you ever have to endure the pain of Alzheimer's. It's a difficult path to walk. 

I pray we find a cure.