The long good-bye was how a relative had referred to her passing. She would have been 93 this summer and I thought that it had not been that long ago when I sat with her on the porch of the assisted living residence where she was staying.

But it was a while ago, probably four years or so, when we looked out at the Long Island Sound waves that were breaking softly on the beach just across the road. We talked about our families, about the coolness in the air, about some of our favorite activities.  Every once in a while when I recounted a tale my mom or dad had told me that involved her and her husband, her eyes flashed with a flicker of a memory. And a quick smile pulled at the edge of her lips.

Like many who grew up during the depression and waited anxiously on this side of the Atlantic while loved ones flew combat missions on the other, she knew better than to sweat the small stuff and appreciated as much as anyone a good laugh, good friends and what was to her most important, a good family.

She had a strong heart, conditioned from her love of walking, and so hung on long after others might have surrendered.  There will come a time when we solve the riddle that is Alzheimer’s, and that will be a wondrous day.

But for now we will have to endure the long good-bye and remember with great love the family and friends who help us smile.