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When someone close to me dies, I celebrate their life. Nothing at all brings closure, imho, like viewing a life as a whole and seeing the wonderful friendships, loves, hates, experiences, and accomplishments. It especially helps if the end isn't a positive one, such as Alzheimers. Before my maternal grandfather died, he began to lose control of his faculties. He was once a great man, intelligent, kind, and strong. When he began not to recognize us, it was confusing and frightening to me (I was 10 at the time), but later I was able to find peace by bearing in mind this wasn't my grandfather anymore. My grandfather, in the memories of those who knew him, will always be a strong, brave, loyal man. When I tell my kids about him some day, I won't tell them about the man who's mind was disintegrating, but the proud soldier that fought in the Pacific theater, the father who raised children, the husband who loves his wife, the philosopher and historian, the lover of classical music, and my grandfather.
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