A farewell poem and a short essay about President Ronald Reagan and the loss that I feel.

It also contains my admiration for First Lady Nancy Reagan and her courage and strength in providing loving care to her husband with Alzheimer's Disease-a Disease that has deeply affected my own family. I share candid feelings about my own struggle in dealing with a father who I am caring for with Alzheimer's Demntia.

(PRWEB) June 13, 2004 -- Hello Alzheimers Disease
~Goodbye Mr. President~

Its Thursday at 7 and weve just watched Larry King.
My Dad has Alzheimers and Larry King in part of his daily routine.
Veering too far from his routine is an invitation to disaster.
And only those embrace those with Alzheimers really know what Im talking about.
The end of the show was dedicated to a video montage of a great collection of photos of the President, his staff, his friends and his beautiful wife.
America has been made better by the presence of President Reagan.

I apologize, Mr. President, for not voting for you when I had the chance to.
Instead I voted for the Democrats as thats what a young 1st Generation
Italian guy from New York is supposed to do.
And I wasnt mature enough, Mr. President, to make the right decision.
I did, however, lean a great lesson about a great, great man.

If ever there was a true President of the People, it was YOU, Mr. President.
Over the past 10 years I have prayed for you and for your family.
I never knew that one day Alzheimers Disease would touch my family.
When I saw Mrs. Reagan place the side of her face on your coffin, I could almost
Sense the incredible amount of loss and exhaustion she was feeling.
When she gently touched the beautiful United States Flag that was draped over you, I felt like in someway she was finally letting go and setting you free.

The photos of both of you warmed my heart beyond belief.
What I felt watching that beautiful piece of work, crafted at CNN, was chilling.
My Dad, who is typically not very responsive to any stimuli, paused for a moment to show me the goose bumps he had on his arms and legs.
My Dad recognized the enormous loss and we both shed tears together.
For the first time in my life I shared tears-for one moment in this lifetime I was in a sort of special place with my Dad and I will treasure it forever.

My Dad has few pleasures so we try to enjoy just about anything that makes him happy.
Keeping Dad happy is very important in delivering the best care for him.
So much of the Dad I grew up with is different from the Dad I now care for.
Its as though our roles have changed and I am now parenting my Dad.
This is all so very different from everything I had expected.
I always assumed that my Dad would live a long, healthy life.
I never imagined him being sick.
I imagined arthritis, perhaps a bad hip, even a heart attack.
But not dementia and certainly not of the Alzheimers type.

My Dad never liked sweets but now thrives on strawberry jelly beans.
My Dad always loved Western Movies but now prefers Gospel themes.
This Disease, called Alzheimers, is honestly mean.
It takes all that you have and leaves you completely empty.
The progression is not predictable and the course of the illness uniquely varied.

People can handle most illnesses, were all quite resilient to most things.
But this Disease of Dementia can challenge just about everything you can conceive.
It will take away everything and leave you alone.
It is a true disease of loneliness-loneliness in every direction.

Eventually youll not know anyone, your own face in the mirror will be unrecognizable.
This is so much more than merely being forgetful and its
not just an old persons" disease.
This Disease, called Alzheimers, is a monster and a Goddamn thief.

I see my Dad suffer. I can feel some of his pain.
This illness affects everyone, even the strongest loved ones succumb and become weak.
In the end its the family that suffers.
I can only imagine what the Family of President Reagan is going through.
I wish there was a way to let them know that my Dad and I, even with the vivid presence of Alzheimers Disease surrounding us, were able to light several candles to honor President Reagan and his loving family and caregivers. I know that you are all very tired and if I could share my energy with you I would do so.

In the end its the disease that wins for there is no way to fight.
There is no magic pill and nothing is brewing in the kitchen.
It could be many, many years before we can offer relief
To people with Alzheimers and the families that are so affected by this disease.
Perhaps the awareness that this incredible loss will bring to the Western World will encourage people to donate funds and to alert those is Congress that we have a big job ahead and we need their support. Im sure President Reagan would be grateful..

You are already missed, my Dear President Reagan.
God had bless you from day one and you have brought great freedom to this world.
You have made an incredible difference and there is nothing greater than doing something to make this world we live in a better place.
And God Bless Nancy. You are a modern day hero to me and to so many others.
I am totally confident that one day you will again dance with Ronald as the Big Band plays a beautiful love song.

Sincere Regards,
Peter Vincent Cannice
7629 S. 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85042-7338
480.861.1444