A Memorable Day

It was a very memorable day in our little town on the prairie.    It's a Sunday -- a church day and ours is an early church 9 a.m. (and it's our only service -- no 11 o'clock for we Lutherans)     After church, we headed downtown to an art show.     A special art show at one of our favorite stores, life+style.

Whose wares were pushed to the back so that the art could be displayed on their bare walls . . .

Watercolors all . . .

Amazing watercolors . . .

Each one different and individual . . .

The walls lined with this wonderful expression of art.    It was quite an art show with so many pictures to view.    And it was a memorable show because . . .

The artists were not high school students or college students or adults who took a class in watercolors.

No, they were patients in nursing homes.    

Patients with Alzheimers.

We were there early but it was a nice crowd who came out for the show . . .

Both art lovers and the artists themselves . . .

The art generated lively conversation among the attendees . . .

And friend JoAnn, one of the Lunch Bunch is the person behind this show for her "retirement" job is the art classes that she does at our local nursing homes.     Jane, from the Kansas City Alzheimer's Assocation came down for the show.    

My favorites?

A wonderful picture of a quilt . . .

Some pretty flowers . . .

And an eye that could be displayed in any gallery in any large city and be considered a great watercolor done by an amazing artist.

It is amazing how art brings out the creativity of an Alzheimer mind.   So many of us are touched by this dreadful disease -- everyone, I think, knows someone that this disease has affected.    Some closer to home than others.   I am thankful that we've not had anyone in our family diagnosed with Alzheimers but I have friends whose parents have been devastated by the disease.

We should be grateful that there is the Memories in the Making program sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association.     For it gives people a chance to show everyone that they have a creative side.

A big thank you, not only to friend JoAnn and her work with these special people, but to all of the others that give their time and talents so that these special people can share their talents through their art.

Thank you too, to friends Jim and Cynthia, who opened their store and gave up their Sunday so that the community could see this amazing art exhibit.

It was definitely a Red Letter Day in our little town on the prairie today!