“Hey, Papa,” several grandkids said, as they streamed in the front door. Cedric, a former paratrooper with the Army for 20 years, was all dressed up. He looked sharp with his new haircut, nice pants and hard bottom slippers, sitting near the Christmas tree. Tracy, his youngest daughter, was sitting next to him as children and grandchildren, great grandchildren and even a great, great grandchild poured in–altogether, over thirty people. Tina, the oldest, daughter, worked closely with Darlin, Cedric’s wife, preparing favorite dishes in advance, assigning seating areas, directing traffic flow, and moving along conversations with Papa. Linda Faye, the middle daughter, and her brothers Pecan and David were on camera duty as family and friends poured in and out. When Cedric’s son-in-law, who is visually impaired, felt his way in, Cedric stood up and said, “Let me help you, William.” Tracy put her hand on her dad’s shoulder. Then in-laws from Charlotte and California arrived. Newton, the youngest son-in-law walked in with his new girlfriend, and Cedric stood up again. “Nice to meet you,” he said, smiling at her. He was almost his old self–in spite of being diagnosed with Alzheimers almost a decade ago.

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