An Alzheimer’s Memories of the Heart

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(Dedicated to June K. Berg)

I remember you with my heart.
My mind can't say your name.
I can’t recall where I knew you,
or who you are,
or who I am.
Maybe I grew up with you.
Maybe we were family together.
Did we walk together yesterday?
There’s something wrong -
with my memory.
But I do know you.
I know I know you.
I know I love you.
I know how you made me feel.
I remember the feelings -
we had together.
My heart remembers.
It cries out in loneliness for you.
For the feelings you give me now.
Today, I’m happy that you have come.
When you leave -
my mind will not remember -
that you were here.
But my heart still remembers.
Remembers the feeling of warmth
and love returned.
Remembers that I am less lonely -
and happier today -
because you have come.
Please, please don’t forget me.
Please don’t stay away just
because of how my mind works.
I can still feel you.
I can still remember you with my heart.
A Memory of the heart is perhaps -
the most important memory of all.

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(Original Author Unknown – named, extensively revised and edited by Stan Berg 5/6/2008.)

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Note: Among June's collections of writings, booklets and papers, I found the following quotation by an unknown author that seems so very appropriate to the subject of this page. "Words From The Heart" 1993 :

"Gratitude is the heart's Memory!" 

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At the time the below photo was taken, 31 October 2007, June was in the late stages of this terrible disease and starting the final year of her life. She rarely ever opened her eyes. Holding June's hand and just being with her, was the only means of communication that remained open or available to us.  It was, as in the above poem, memories of the heart, replacing the crippled mind!

(Jim Gehrz photo of June and Stan 2007)

Reader’s Comments

Stan’s Introductory Comments: By publishing these “Reader’s Comments,” it is not my intention to in any way suggest that the marriage relationship and the love that June and I had/have for each other and experienced during our lifetime together is in any way superior to similar relationships of other’s. It is merely a collection of the reactions of readers to this page in June’s website. Some are simple appreciative comments; some are generous and kind comments reflecting the care and concern of others. Some comments are a sharing of the reader’s own experiences. Many reflect the love of God. These comments often reflect the human and the caring side of the readers. It is my hope that if June is able to look in on us, that she can see and understand how much I appreciate the love and the life that she gave to me and that I miss her very much…there will never be another to take her place! If anyone is searching for evidence of a caring and loving God, need they look further then these comments?

Okcim Donna – St. Paul, MN – (12 July 2012): - “A window to Alzheimer's by my good friend ... Please share ... you may open the curtains for some who are facing darkness... God Bless... thank you Stanton for shining a light thru the window with your love and dedication to your beautiful wife, June…you are chosen... so was she..... to teach others.... thank you.”

Dawn Lausen Galati - Orlando, Florida - (12 July 2012): - "June's face lights up when she smiles."

Debbie Sams - Monticello, Indiana - (12 July 2012): - "That was lovely. I've been reading some of the rest of the website and it's very informative. She was a beautiful woman."

Ada Padron Criscione - Edgewater, New Jersey - (14 July 2012): - "The photo is touching. My heart can feel the love there. When Mama Lee had very little time left, the only thing she knew and understood was love - her entire body would change when I held her hand. Even though she was touched often for di...fferent reasons, i.e. bathing, dressing, toiletting, medical care, she responded so differently when I would just sit there and hold her hand. Even if all I did was walk in briefly and hold her hand for a minutes - she knew she was being loved. I always said, she was unaware of everything else, even the intellectual feeling of fear was gone, but she understood love. Such an amazing gift that God has given us - the ability to feel love and understand love which becomes our physical manifestation of love when we are nothing else."

For a similar and a very profoundly moving poem, see John L. Stevens:

  "Remember for Me"

June's Passing 

Note: June Berg passed away on 23 October 2008 after almost 11 weary years of battling Alzheimer's. June's funeral notice as printed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune following her death in October 2008 can be found on the top blue navigation strip under the label "In Memoriam" and on the drop down menu as item:

"June K. (Rolstad) Berg - In Memoriam".

For the story of June’s favorite home at 6025 Gardena Lane and the poem I wrote about this home during a day of deep sadness, click on the below link: (This was June’s home for almost 40 years. It was constructed shortly after the previous home was severely damaged in a tornado. 6025 Gardena Lane was the first home the June participated in the selection and purchase of a lot on a small hill, helped with the design of the home and watched it being constructed. 6025 Gardena Lane had a special place in June's heart.)

 “6025 Gardena Lane – June’s Favorite Home”