Alzheimer’s is a sad disease that usually affects the elderly and can change the way they think, act, and remember things.
It can come on quickly or worsen over the years. Many people suffering from Alzheimer’s have both good and bad days. In the end stages of the disease, the sufferers usually require daily care, and many find themselves in nursing homes.
Michael Joyce is suffering from the disease, and of all the things he had forgotten because of it, he was sad to learn that he forgot he was married to his wife.
This just wasn’t acceptable to him. He decided he needed to marry her again, so he would have a more recent memory that he could hopefully hang on to. He proposed to his wife one morning, and while she was surprised, she still agreed.
“You don’t say, ‘Oh, we’re already married, So, I said, ‘Of course I will,’ thinking he might not remember.”
She wasn’t sure if he would even go through with it or remember what he had asked her the next morning. Surprisingly, he did. He woke up the next day just as excited about marrying Linda as he was the day before. She knew she had to make it happen. Linda and Michael still live together in their home in Frankton, New Zealand, and they decided to involve their community in their wedding ceremony.
She started inviting friends and neighbors.
Many of them knew the couple was already married, so in her invitation, she had to explain why they were getting married again.
She told them:
“Amidst the often sad and frustrating times living with Alzheimer’s … there is joy! My adored Hubby of 38 years suffers from Alzheimer’s/Disphasia. Two nights ago, out of the blue, with tear-filled eyes, he asked me to marry him! Michael had clearly forgotten we were already married but I absolutely went along with him and said I would be delighted to be his wife. In spite of his confused mind, he obviously knows and feels this is something he really wants to do … to Michael it will be our Wedding Ceremony and to our friends and myself, a truly precious memorable occasion.”
Naturally, the friends and family members were excited for them.
When Linda asked if there was anyone who could officiate the ceremony, she had a lot of offers. A photographer, Desmond Downs, offered to shoot photos of the wedding and capture some great memories for the couple. He later shared the photos on his blog.
He said:
“I couldn’t resist offering to photograph this special occasion for free, just for the privilege of being there.”
Linda and Michael had an amazing wedding, and thanks to the community, there were plenty of witnesses and photos to help remind Michael of it should he forget.
It also reminded Linda of a few things. As the caregiver to Michael, she has seen him change and watched the man she loves lose his memories and a lot of himself over the years. It hasn’t been easy for her, but the wedding gives her hope.
On her wedding day, she said:
“There’s been a lot of sadness and a lot of frustration. And despite all the fogginess, today has been pure joy.”
Some people are lucky enough to marry their soulmate once in their lives, but Linda and Michael got to do it twice. Hopefully, they get to share many more years and memories together.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
