Love is ... Endless and Eternal! by Dennis Dulniak

Dennis and Nancy at Arden Courts Valentine Day Dinner

In 1969, Nancy and I met at SUNY Fredonia's Freshman Orientation. Our first date was at Niagara Falls, during the year when the water was diverted away from the American Falls. We were married for 47 years and raised two wonderful sons, Mark and Craig. We moved around the country in various positions, enjoyed traveling, went to countless college football and basketball games where Nancy was often one of the loudest fans, enjoyed numerous theatrical performances on Broadway and off, especially supporting our sons for their Roxy shows in Clarksville. During her quiet time, Nancy loved to read. We certainly treasured our lives together with a strong supported love connection. The photo above captures a precious memory of us at her Memory Care facility during a Valentine’s dinner.

Following Nancy's diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment and then Early Onset Alzheimer's in 2014, my caregiver responsibilities increased and developed, while our love bond grew stronger as we faced challenges together. We continued to embark on new avenues where my efforts for caregiving grew through planning for extensive travels, participating in drug trials, engaging in activities that kept Nancy’s mind active, making new friends, advocating for Alzheimer's research, and preparing legal documents for an eventual decline. As Alzheimer's robbed Nancy of her ability to recognize me or communicate effectively, my love for her only grew stronger. The memories we had made together continue to resonate with me through our "Good Days and Bad Moments" philosophy and love shared.

Throughout her caregiving, I learned the importance of support groups where my role within the Men’s Support Group has grown into the lead facilitator. Men need other men to talk to, share their unique gender-based issues, and obtain sincere feedback, suggestions with opportunities to develop relationships among other males that is so lacking among men, especially caregivers whose role creates greater isolation.

Nana's Books Foundation is another way for all that love to live on. Our mission shares Nancy's love of books and reading with thousands of students in Title I schools and public libraries each year. In our first three years, our Foundation distributed 12,762 books to 6,323 students in 16 Title I schools among eight states. Please join us as Donors and Volunteers to enhance literacy, education, kindness and compassion among students and communities on www.nanasbooks.org, https://www.facebook.com/nanasbooksfoundation

Nana’s Books Foundation has created a loving legacy that is helping thousands of children, caregivers, and communities. Let us all cherish the time we have together and create ways for love to endure long after we are gone. Let us Share the Love!