Alzheimer's Association

Butterfly Moments 🦋

My sisters and I call them butterfly moments. They remind us of the awe felt when noticing a butterfly nearby, a brief moment in time filled with beauty - and only witnessed if you are present enough because seconds or minutes later it’s gone.

We cherish the butterfly moments with our mom. When she greets us with rare recognition and pure love in her eyes, when she laughs at something so freely from a deep wellspring of delight, when she springs to help another as automatically as she did all her life for us.

Change is hard to witness in someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia and it’s easy to get stuck inventorying or being fearful of the cognitive decline. I’ve spent countless hours dwelling on what my mom has lost - lifestyle, relationships, knowledge, memories, even physical capabilities. But over the last few years, I’ve been working on acceptance and by processing grief together with my sisters and our families, relatives and my mom’s friends, I am more able to see clearly in my mom the moments of joy, grace, dignity, sweetness, humor, caring, and creativity that she exhibits as the pure essence of her personality.

My mom can only be in this space where she is allowed to flourish despite her disease because she is validated and supported by an incredible team of trained and tireless caregivers and health professionals as well as kind residents in a facility (or “community”) that keeps her safe, active, and socially engaged. It’s not always rosy but the people and organizational resources around her bring me an indescribable peace of mind. It allows my sisters and our families to enjoy time with our mom building our memories.

I’m skiing the Camel’s Hump Challenge on February 1 for my mom whose energetic nature and lifetime of playing sports with friends has given me a gift - a love for moving through mountains and testing the limits of my physical self. Spending the day on a wilderness ski tour with friends circumnavigating Vermont’s iconic third highest peak is a perfect day in my mind.

I’m inviting you all to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association and support the organization that provides resources and support to so many experiencing Alzheimer’s and dementia and helping their families on this arduous journey. It is a trail full of ups and downs, hard work and team work, love and respect, heartbreak and sadness, and of course, butterfly moments.

Thank you for your support!

I'm fundraising for...

By participating in this event, I've committed to raising awareness and funds to advance the care and support efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association®.

Currently, more than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, and that number is expected to grow to nearly 13 million by 2050. Our future is at risk, and we must come together to change the course of this disease.

Please support my efforts by making a donation. Funds raised support the educational programs and services offered free of charge by the Alzheimer's Association, Vermont Chapter. Thank you for joining the fight against Alzheimer’s disease!

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$106

Ashley Esch

Kelly- What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday! Love Ashley

$106

Rebecca Hudson

I have so many memories of your fabulous mother- dating all the way back to Brownies and synchronized swimming and tennis at the tennis club in Pittsford! She was so real with us as teens and her face always lit up when she saw us coming. This is a horrible disease. I’m sorry you and your sisters are on this journey. One day at a time!Love you!

$100

Jim Kurtz

$100

Courtney (smith) Pulire

$100

Jocelyn Guite

$100

Kaija

Love to the whole Ault family!

$100

Laura Bailey

Have a great day out there ski divas!

$100

Maureen Brown Matthias

Thank you, Kelly! Big hug to all the Aults!

$53

Anonymous

$50

Kristina

$50

Anonymous

Love you big sis, xoxo

$50

Joanne Grogan

You are amazing ❤️

$50

Wendy Moore

$50

Aunt Barb And The Hagen’s

Thank you for doing this! ❤️

$50

Lauren & Mike Woods

$50

Jared Katz

Enjoy! Brrrr. Thanks for doing the challenge.

$37.10

Molly Martinez (ashley’s Friend)

Beautiful description of “butterfly moments.” I’m so sorry for all you and your mom and sisters have lost. But it seems you all have inherited your mother’s gorgeous, radiant smile! Enjoy the slopes!

$35