To Remember

To Remember

My one grandparent I knew, my dad, and my mom were mentally and physically great before a heart quit beating, ALS took over, and old age (94) claimed each one respectively.  For the last few years of her life, my mother resided in assisted living.  When I shared a meal with her and other residents in the dining room, the occupants at our table would be deep in conversation when one would suddenly pause.  You could see by the look on their face, they were desperately trying to recall a word or a thought.  It was utterly heartbreaking to watch and experience this with them.
The loss of memory through the disease of Alzheimer’s is particularly difficult to see happen to those we love.  This disease is relentless and can affect people at different ages, young or old.
Never Forget Eleanor
(
Harper
, an imprint of
HarperCollins Publishers
, February 14, 2023) written by Jason June with pictures by Loren Long explores memory loss through the affectionate bond between a grandson and his grandmother.  For as long as you can, you will remember this tender story about the power of words.
E
lijah loved doing crossword puzzles with his
grandma Eleanor.  She always seemed to know
every word in the dictionary.
Elijah read aloud the clue and Eleanor knew the answer almost before he finished.  There wasn’t a word she couldn’t spell or understand.  The best thing about her gift with words was the stories Grandma Eleanor would tell Elijah.
On Saturdays, Grandma Eleanor would hold special
story sessions.
Everyone in town would come to listen.  Can you guess which one was Elijah’s favorite?
When Elijah and Grandma Eleanor walked around town, she knew everyone’s faces.  She believed each face held a tale.  They called her
«Never Forget Eleanor.»
One day Elijah noticed his grandmother couldn’t recall an answer to his clue or even remember the clue.  One Saturday she forgot about
story sessions.
The next Saturday Grandma Eleanor was missing for the town tale telling.  Elijah looked everywhere for her.  He thought and thought about how to find her.
He remembered their crossword puzzle fun, their walks throughout town and meeting the individuals whose faces she always knew, and her Saturday
story sessions.
That was when an idea came to Elijah.  He knew how to find and assist his grandmother.  He had listened.  He had learned.  It was all about words and love and the help of those who named her
«Never Forget Eleanor.»
From the first page of words written by
Jason June
, the genuine affection shared by Elijah and Eleanor is clearly present.  Their conversations are like those between the best of friends as are their walks in the community and their wonderful Saturdays.  The manner in which this story is told allows readers along with Elijah to understand the true beauty of Grandma Eleanor.  She leads by example, embracing the best things in others and raising them up through her words.  Here is a sentence.
As she spoke, Elijah felt like his grandmot…