Four decades of love should be impossible to forget, but Alzheimer’s is the kind of disease that can steal away even the happiest memories. This is something Michael and Linda Joyce of Frankton, New Zealand, are all too familiar with. Michael, 68, has battled Alzheimer’s since 2010, and he’s forgotten a lot about his life — including the fact that he’s been married for 38 years. But there’s one thing he remembers clearly: He’s eternally in love with Linda. A Man Battling Alzheimer’s Asks His Wife to Marry Him … Again SAY ‘I DO’
She admitted that she expected Michael to forget. To her surprise, he woke up the next morning and asked, “Do you still want to?” The couple planned a vow-renewal ceremony for the following week. Linda reached out online to find someone who would be willing to officiate the ceremony. She received tons of offers, and a local photographer even volunteered to take photos free of charge. On the morning of the ceremony, Michael smiled and told Linda, “Today’s the day!” Michael and Linda said “I do” again during the ceremony at a lake near their home, surrounded by friends and family. Life and love are never easy, but even in the greatest struggles, there’s a reason to hope. Linda said it best on her second wedding day: “There’s been a lot of sadness and a lot of frustration. And despite all the fogginess, today has been pure joy.”
One morning in early 2018, Michael had something important to ask Linda.
“He got up, but he looked different,” Linda says. “He looked quite anxious, like he was trying to tell me something. I jumped up and I held his hand and I said, ‘What’s wrong, darling? What are you trying to say?’ He said, ‘Will you marry me?’” Linda could have gently explained that they were already married. Instead, she smiled and said, “Of course, darling!”
JOIN THE October Kitchen Alliance
Get information into the hands of those who need it!
Become an Ally of October Kitchen and receive monthly literature sent right to your office.
Just call 860-533-0588 or email us at office@OctoberKitchen.com to become part of the Alliance. HOME. MADE. EASY!
2 www.OctoberKitchen.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs