This is just a tiny bit off topic for this site but it is so endearing I had to share this. A friend of ours mother is suffering end stage AD. Her mom was a Woman Marine during World War II. She attended all our Marine Corps League events, Memorial and Veteran's Day events and wore her Dress Blues proudly.
Then about 5 or so years ago she was diagnosed with this awful disease. She has been in Hospice in recent months. Today she was transported home to her daughter's home. The daughter received a phone call on her cell that a Marine was on his way to meet her when she arrives home. In the true spirit of the Corps, until her daughter can return from work, this Marine will volunteer to remain with her today
Brings a tear to the eye...there are guardian angels out there!

Our Marines really stick together to help others in crisis..

If your loved one has an organization like this to which he or she belonged, let's hope they can do the same for others in our situation and it might be something we could start in our own environments as our strength and time allow.

Semper Fi,
Mimi..also a retired Marine

Mimi - I have a strong dislike for the Marine Corp. My son was a Marine and when he hurt his back they quickly turned on him. He was taunted by his unit when he could no longer do the heavy pack trips and was in constant pain to the point of constant diarrhea. Chiropractic helped and he wanted to stay in. He likes doing office work and wanted to transfer to there so he could stay in the corp. They would not hear of it. It really ticks me that they let people who have lost digits and even an arm or leg stay in (letting them serve in office etc.) but after all the money and time they put into training my son, they discarded him like garbage. Despite this treatment he clings to the Marine Corp identity, which by the way he has never transitioned into civilian thinking. He acts like it was a fantastic experience for him when in truth he was in pain most of the 3 years he was in.

Thank you ,buzzelena. I thought it was too.

I was thinking, today at Mass, how nice it would be if our various church organizations would have a support network. Ours has a Martha Ministry which is a group of us ladies who put on luncheons following Funeral services. There are other ministries to help those in grief from recent loss but nothing for those who are dealing with any kind of illness where respite time would be helpful..And those of us in the middle of this now, just don't have the umph to take on one more project..maybe later on.....

Chris R,
What an interesting thing to learn. I never knew what Mitzvah meant before. When my uncle was so afflicted and my aunt was dealing with colon cancer, and I was taking care of them for several months, one of my aunt's good lady friends from the OPICA center where the hubbys went for day care came by with her Kosher Chicken soup.. It was a lot of work for her to make this in that way and it was so good. Her husband died and so did she later on as did my aunt and uncle. My aunt and uncle were Lutherans ( I am Catholic) and Jo was Jewish. What a merry group we were!