'Once in a Blue Moon' addresses Alzheimer's

By Peggy Laizure

July 02, 2009 01:14 am

— "Once in a Blue Moon," Molly Levite Griffis' latest book, addresses Alzheimer's in a way that children can understand.
Ten-year-old Joey Bennington thought Grandpa "Gunny," Judge Benjamin Franklin Bennington, was the wisest man that ever lived except maybe his namesake Benjamin Franklin.
When Gunny began to lose his way and wear black overcoats in the middle of summer, Joey begins to worry that something may be wrong.
Gunny was a champion of "Gunnyisms," old sayings that he and Joey always said. He said them so much that Joey's mother said she didn't want to hear them anymore.
Now Gunny makes up games to test Joey and his best friend Jim Paul, however, Joey suspects that Gunny doesn't remember the answers.
When Gunny's dog shows signs of neglect, Joey can't hide anymore and decides to talk to his mother. She confirms his fears that his grandfather, 55, may have Alzheimer's.
As the disease progresses, Joey asks Gunny what it is like.
"I fell like I'm being erased," Gunny said.
Griffis dedicated "Once in a Blue Moon" "to dear friends whose life patterns were forever altered by a knock at their doors by the gypsy thief called Alzheimer's."
She writes about the disease so a 10-year-old could understand and adds a little humor and compassion. The book can help a pre-teen understand what is happening to an adored grandparent.
And ...
"Hope for the best and prepare for the worse," an old saw that Gunny would tell you.
"Once in a Blue Moon," ISBN 158107158-2,129 pages, New Forums Press, Stillwater, is available at book stores and Amazon.com.