Some years ago, in a sermon titled” Living With My Aging Brain the author, imagined an ideal a psychiatrist, talking with the a person suffering from what I call Progressive Befuddlement. He said,

“Well, Fran, you have what other people might label ‘Alzheimer’s disease,’ but I don’t believe that type of label applies well to your situation. All people have brains that age over time, and all of our brains age in different ways. Some people lose some special abilities and some lose verbal abilities – no two cases of brain aging are ever the same. There is a remarkable variability in the clinical course of what people used to call Alzheimer’s disease … It’s important that you know that … you’re not diseased, even though your memory loss may be more pronounced than others your age.”

Having now passed my 83rd birthday and experiencing more “senior moments” I want reassure my friends that I am still able – most of the time -to perform ministerial functions with some skill, to pontificate in conversation and on line; to explore, encourage, console, counsel and do the things I’ve always enjoyed doing.

I have two 87 year old friends who can still function at a high intellectual level.  I you’ve been lucky enough to reach “retirement age.”  There a growing number of such people.  I hope to be one of them.

Just thought you’d like to know.