Family Life Nourishes the Soul -
the Ayres’ Story
Thomas Moore once said, "Family life is full of major and minor crises-the ups and downs of health, success and failure in career, marriage, and divorce-and all kinds of characters. It is tied to places and events and histories. With all these felt details, life etches itself into memory and personality. It is difficult to imagine anything more nourishing to the soul"
A close and meaningful family life gives great satisfaction to Amazing Place participant Nanette Ayres, her husband, George, and their children, Alison and George Jr. Nanette remembers her childhood with fondness. She was the eldest of three sisters who all remained best friends. Nanette and George found each other later in life than some couples, so their relationship with each other and their children has been most precious. George smiles as he recalls their house with two children, a dog, cat, bird and almost one of every creature Noah had in his ark.
Nanette had a good job with Tennessee Gas in their early days and loved it. George also worked in oil and gas and his career began to thrive. George still continues to work but Nanette finally retired. With Nanette’s transition out of the working world, and her grown children busy with their own children, she slowly began to withdraw and also began experiencing some changes in memory. Her husband and children were struck by the changes in Nanette who was normally energetic, bright and outgoing by nature. The changes in Nanette caused a ripple of concern throughout the family.
Studies have shown that the primary caregiver for individuals with memory loss is the spouse and the secondary is daughters. While Nanette’s family all struggled as to how best support her, it was her daughter, Alison, who found Amazing Place. Alison was at a luncheon and happened to sit next to Amazing Place’s Executive Director, Tracey Brown. She was impressed with Tracey and what she learned about Amazing Place. Then later that week someone else referred Alison to Amazing Place and Alison felt that it was providence.
Alison and her father visited Amazing Place. After consideration, the family urged Nanette to get active again and become a participant. She did! Nanette has become a vital part of the Amazing Place family and recommends it to those who are isolated, or recently retired. She says,"The atmosphere is friendly and inspiring and the group is close and provides fellowship. The variety of activities that Amazing Place offers stimulates my brain." George approves of Nanette’s involvement in Amazing Place and the gracious support she offers to all around her. Seeing Nanette involved again feels good to the whole family.
Alison has learned some significant lessons from assisting her parents. She has learned how important it is to talk about the challenges related to caregiving and to ask for help. It is vital for the health and well-being of older adults to reconnect to the community and have a meaningful social life. Alison also feels her children have grown from the experience and opportunity of knowing, respecting and honoring their grandparents.
The Ayres family particularly values humor and love, and appreciation for one another. Nanette and George have many heartwarming stories to tell, but the most joyful story is that their "two wonderful, talented and caring children have successfully passed these qualities to our six grandchildren".
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