Even as Alzheimer’s can steal memories, Joni’s sister Jay’s love for the Lord remains unshakable, as a miraculous reminder that God’s grace endures beyond the mind’s fading. To find out more resources on Alzheimer’s visit www.joniradio.org. World Alzheimer's Day is this Sunday.
Find more resources for Alzheimer's here.
SHAUNA: Hi this is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Listen to Joni and be blessed.
JONI: I want to start today talking about Alzheimer’s. And my story starts with my older sister Jay Kay. After my rehab, she invited me to come and live with her and her daughter Jayme on the farm in Maryland. And I was thrilled because I had always looked up to Jay Kay – she was so capable, beautiful, I knew she had a deep affection for me, her little sister. She took good care of me on the farm; helping me hurdle my many obstacles that first year. My sister was so helpful in getting me up and out of depression. Now, although the years I spent on that farm were hard [I was still coming to grips with my quadriplegia; my wheelchair was still a new thing], it was also wonderful. When a few Christian friends asked if they could come up to the farm on weekends and hold a Bible study, my sister Jay said, “Sure, but you’ll have to let me sit in on it.” And that same weekend, we must have had what, 15 people show up. And Jay and her daughter were there, sitting in.
Now, this Bible study grew fast, and Jay Kay kept things running, making BLT sandwiches for everybody and welcoming whoever came through the farmhouse door. Those were the most splendid evenings. We’d have up to 25 young people sitting around her big farmhouse table with open Bibles. It was a season that God used in my life to help me grow in Christ and learn to love his Word.
That was all more than 55 years ago. And in the decades since, the farm has changed. And so has my sister Jay Kay. It’s a lot quieter now on the farm and she and her husband live a subdued life. It’s because my sister has Alzheimer’s. It started slowly enough; her forgetting things. But then it progressed pretty rapidly. So, Jay Kay is on medication to slow the progress. I Face Timed her this past weekend, and it did my heart good to see her smile. But she had this curious look on her face, as though she did not know me. And so, I said, “Jay, do you recognize me? Do you know who I am?” She kind of squinched her face, thought and said, “You’re my little sister.” She remembered me. And then I asked with a smile, “Well, do you remember my name?” And then after a few seconds she said, “Joni!” So, our conversation was a little one-sided, me asking questions and her nodding yes and no. But at the close, when I asked her to pray with me, we said the Lord’s prayer together. And my sister Jay did not miss a word. She did not miss a beat. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, and so on. Isn’t God amazing? And it’s clear my precious sister has not lost her love for the Lord Jesus.
This Sunday is World Alzheimer’s Day. Here in the states, Alzheimer’s affects 6.7 million people over the age of 65, and it’s projected to double to 14 million by 2060. Of course, the main driver in that number is an aging population. My sister will age, and she’ll remember less. I will probably call next weekend and maybe she won’t remember that I’m her little sister – oh, that’s going to be hard when it happens. And I know there must be some friends listening for whom it is very hard so please visit joniradio.org where I’ve posted a link to the Alzheimer’s Association and their helpline. They offer support groups, consultations, safety resources, and a Community Resource Finder for local services. Explore more at joniradio.org. And hey, I’ve posted a recent photo of Jay Kay on joniradio.org. You’ve got to go see it and thank you for praying for my wonderful sister and her precious family.
© Joni and Friends