Happy Birthday Randy!

Randy turned 73 on Sept. 7th. 

33 years ago he was gifted an art piece created by our friend Bob for his 40th birthday party. We all got such a kick out of it. Of course we all imagined he would be playing his 12-string guitar well into his twilight years. 

We never imagined he'd stop... nor receive a dementia diagnosis.

 Although unlike the art piece, Randy still has a head full of black hair and still so handsome.

When I visited Randy on his birthday he stared deep into my soul and I felt such a strong connection. Those moments are so rare. But then he leaned in for the sweetest kiss. I was stunned. Oh how I needed to know he is still there and still knows me. 

So grateful to God.

Happy Birthday Honey ~ from your Sugar

 

Dementia Park - Tempe Arizona

A year after my husband Randy was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia, Tempe became Arizona's first dementia-friendly city. I couldn't have been more proud of our city.

But it gets even better. 

"Tempe is now developing a new park for people with dementia, which the city is calling the “first-of-its-kind” in the country." (posted Sept. 2026)

And it will be located a mile from our home.

"The park will also be hugely beneficial for caretakers whose role can be demanding and isolating." 

The park will be a “thoughtfully-designed place” where those living with dementia “can safely enjoy the outdoors while their caregivers have a chance to rest, breathe and simply enjoy being with the person they love,” said Tempe council member Doreen Garlid, who was the former caretaker of her late father who had dementia.

Tempe council member Nikki Amberg said the project is “deeply personal” for her and that such a park would’ve been a “safe haven” for her mother, who was the primary caretaker of her late father who had Alzheimer’s.

“She was stuck at home, because I think she felt that was only the safe space that she had really to care of him,” Amberg told Arizona’s Family, adding, “So this kind of a park would have been so wonderful for her; it would have been able to get her and my dad out of the house.”

Love that part of the article. As Randy's caregiver for 7 years before I placed him 8 years ago, I would have loved to have had a safe place to take him, without the worry of him walking away. Cuz he was a fast walker! So we stayed home.

Then I got to thinking...

Remember when Dog Parks starting showing up everywhere? Well, it quickly became more than taking your dog to a park to run free and interact with other dogs. People were interacting with other dog-lovers! I witnessed it when we'd take our dog to the dog park. It was becoming the new social hang out! 

That's what I see happening at this Dementia Park. Isolated caregivers desperate to get outside with their loved ones, to socialize, to connect and share their story with fellow caregivers. A place to rest, to be seen, to breathe in the fresh air - knowing their loved ones are safe.

Oh how I would have benefited from such an outlet. Caregivers face such a high risk of compromising their physical and mental health because of stress, exhaustion, isolation and neglect. That was definitely the case with me. I once drove myself home from the ER with my blood pressure at 204/98. And that was much lower than it was when I arrived. But I was so upset I wouldn't make it home on time when Paratransit dropped Randy off from Adult Daycare. And they were notorious for driving off without checking to see if he got in the house. So thankful the ER Dr decided I would be better off going home, with a promise to have my MD adjust my BP meds. 

My heart goes out to everyone carrying the heavy burden of caregiving at home.

The Dementia Park article

I can't post without a photo. So here's my handsome husband & I celebrating our 47th Wedding Anniversary on August 25th.

Randy still has a head of black hair, and mine matches his grey beard!

 

The 20th Birthday of My Blog

I posted my very first blog post August 13th, 2006 ~ 20 years ago today!

I've written 1014 posts in 20 years

LindaThompson.blogspot is named ~ Reminisce & This & That

(from the animated Disney movie Robin Hood)

"Reminisce & this & that
And havin' such a good time
Oo-de-lally, Oo-de-lally
Golly, what a day"

If there is one movie our family quoted a lot over the years ~ it was Robin Hood.

Anyway, I've had so much fun reading old blog posts, stories I've written about the past, and the present. I've laughed and cried, giving thanks to God that I documented the details of my life, along with Randy's life leading up to his Frontotemporal dementia diagnosis in 2014. 

My life was a blur after he was diagnosed. I read those posts now and thankfully the memories come back. But they would be long gone had I not written them down.

I am linking you to the 2nd post I ever wrote ~ HERE

'62 Chevy Impala ~ '69 Dodge Charger

I was only planning to stay a year when I moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1977 with my best friend Linda. But 2 months before we returned to WI, I met my future husband. I immediately knew Randy was the one. We wrote letters that summer and I soon made plans to return to Phoenix. I was thrilled when he called and asked if I wanted to buy his Mamaw Bean's '62 Chevy. I had never owned a car before, and had no clue what a '62 Chevy even looked like! So Randy's Dad sold it to me for $500 (sight unseen), even though he had neighbors offering to buy it for $1000. This car was a gem!

But then... I found out it was a standard on the column. So when I arrived back in Phx. Aug. 28th, 1978, Randy spent every Sunday afternoon for weeks teaching me to drive it around the Luke AFB area. Finally I was ready to drive it to the rental house I shared with 2 roommates. 

Oh how I loved that solidly built boat with the ginormous steering wheel. And you better believe I quickly removed the original clear plastic seat covers that were installed in 1962! Yes, they got so hot that when I got in the car wearing shorts, I received some pretty bad burns. Although the turquoise naugahyde seats weren't much better. 

 

So what was Randy driving when we met? His beloved '69 Dodge Charger. He practically rebuilt the entire car. He poured gallons of blood, sweat and tears into that car! Literally! 

Oh how he loved that car! 

But then... there was that Sunday afternoon when he drove it over 100 mph ~ at the urging of a college friend in the front seat with him... while on our way to sing at a tiny Baptist church in the little town of Maricopa in 1977. Omg, the G-force seriously pinned me to the back seat of the Charger. I was so scared out of my mind that I started crying. I thought I was going to die. Needless to say, he never went that fast ever again. 

That I know of... 

You can read the blog post I wrote in 2007 about moving to Phoenix and meeting Randy 6 months later ~ HERE

July Milestones

 July brings to mind a few memorable milestones.

My husband was placed in a memory care facility 8 years ago. (2018)

My husband's book A Believer's Journey was published 2 years ago. (2024)

My husband's brand new website was launched 1 year ago. (2025)

Randy was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2014, although I sensed that he was not himself as early as 2010. Thank God he wrote a book just before he was diagnosed. And so thankful his legacy lives on through his children, his music, his book and website.

Randythompson.org 

Randy's website is filled with his music info, sample songs, lyrics to 90+ songs off his 8 CDs, his book info and so much more. I recently lowered the price of his book on Amazon.

A Believer's Journey

Randy has been on Hospice 2 1/2 years but was recently discharged. Medicare is really cracking down and now requiring they be actively dying to be on Hospice. That was a huge blow. I feared how the lack of extra care would affect him. But so thankful palliative care is on board and it's going well.

Randy is now in a wheelchair. I can't begin to tell you how hard that has been for me. Walking was his favorite thing to do. In fact his only thing. He rarely participated in activities. He rarely interacted with others before he stopped talking in 2020. But he walked. all. day. long.

Randy is still very healthy. He would have lived a very long life if not for dementia. He has actually outlived the 2-8 years life expectancy after symptom onset. At 72, Randy is now in his 16th year. Although I would miss him terribly, I want him to be with Jesus so bad. But only God knows the number of Randy's days. I am just so thankful he is peaceful, and not suffering. 

I wish I could say the same. I have struggled to fully trust God these past 16 years. I actually did real well the first several years. But this long goodbye is taking a toll on my mental health. My friend recently pointed out that I have been in a very long trial. I was stunned, as I guess I thought of a trial as being more short-lived... not a 16 year trial.

Trials are difficult life circumstances, tests of faith, and periods of suffering designed by God to build spiritual maturity, character, and endurance. 

As the years have gone by, I have grown so weary and tired... and sadly I've failed the testing of my faith. I want the trial to be over. But then there would be others. So I lay in bed every morning and cry out to God for peace, strength and total dependency on Him.

Do not fear the road ahead, for God walks with you, His hand will guide you, and his grace will sustain you through every trial.  Deuteronomy 31:6

 In the midst of it all, I have so many blessings!

• my caregiver support group ~ Makers of Care
• pickleball with new friends
• phone calls with my siblings
• my dear elderly clients ages 89 and 100
• Randy's wonderful caregivers
• zoom calls w/ dear high school friends
• Doc - a 2001 tv series on Tubi - so good!
• my new FTD friend from Minneapolis
• and my amazing grandkids!

               Nathan +  Emolyn + Cora + Will + Theo + Hazel + Elsie + Jonah + Mimi

Joy in the Unknowns

 

So thankful I captured this photo of Randy on Mar. 28th, 2024 ~ 2 years ago today.

Randy's frontotemporal dementia journey has progressed very slowly... symptoms starting in 2010, 16 years ago. 

When I found this photo I could see how much he has declined in the past two years.

I recently noticed that while a lot of the residents have an angry/sad resting face, Randy doesn't. He has a peaceful resting face. I am so thankful for that. Because even though Randy can no longer express himself verbally or facially, Christ in Randy's heart is clearly evident because of God's love for Randy and Randy's love for God.

God is love and anyone who lives in love, lives in God, and God lives in him. 

I John 4:16

 I recently read this ~

Don't forget to picture the best case scenario, not the worst case scenario.

That's me ~ dwelling on the unknown ~ Randy's passing, my future, finances, maintaining my home, the day-to-day decisions that paralyze me. 

But joy in the unknowns of life can be found by embracing uncertainty as an opportunity for me to grow in my dependency on God as my rock, my protector. 

The best case scenario? Fully trusting God, His sovereignty, peace, joy in the journey, contentment, the courage to travel, be adventuresome, road trips alone with Jesus riding shotgun, supporting women on their dementia journeys, creating in my sewing room, being grateful and accepting of all that I have been given.  

So thank you God ~ for Randy, his caregivers, his awareness of who I am, the memories we share, my family & friends, my health, my home, 

my caregiver support group (Makers of Care) and...

Theo, my 3 year old grandson says I'm his best friend! Oh how I love that curly-haired little boy! I am so blessed! 

My dear friend Helen is 100!

 I've been caring for a precious Christian woman for the past several years at an Independent Living facility. And she has become one of my dearest friends. Well…

Helen turns 100 years old on March 12th! 

Helen turns 100 3 weeks after my Dad would have turned 100. And 5 weeks before Queen Elizabeth would have turned 100. Yes, 1926 was a very good year. 

The address book Helen is holding in the photo was given to her when she was 18 years old in 1944! That book is 82 years old and still in great condition and filled with addresses!

She still lives alone, is doing quite well and so proud of her Danish heritage. Helen completed nurses training after HS graduation, through the Cadet Nurse Corp in Sioux Falls, SD.

Every week we have "church" in the apartment she has lived for the past 25 years. (after her husband passed) We sing hymns from a huge book of "101 Lutheran Hymns". And she knows every single word to every single hymn. Often times I will cry while singing my favorite hymns ~ recalling sweet memories while growing up attending a Lutheran church in Wisconsin.

I Need Thee Every Hour

Onward Christian Soldier

Beautiful Savior

Blessed Assurance

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

I also want you to know that Helen has been faithfully praying for me for all these years. She will often ask about Randy and prays for him too. She loves when I show her weekly photos of my granddaughter Hazel, because she had a sister named Hazel. Helen was the youngest of 9 kids growing up in South Dakota. Her brother recently passed at 106. I tease her that she's still a spring chicken at only 100 years old!

I recently took a fall while on a morning walk. For a split second I thought 'I need to call my Mom!' But she's been gone for 9 years. So I assessed my bruised bones, bandaged my wounds, and went to work. But when I limped through the front door, Helen could see I was a mess. She was so concerned and caring... like my Mom would have been. God was so good to give me Helen that day.

Today I will come bearing gifts ~ balloons, milk chocolate bars and Danish Aebleskivers (pancake balls)! Danish Kringles and Aebleskivers from Trader Joes are the best! And Helen's favorite's!

I am so blessed to have Helen in my life. Happy 100th Birthday!

Merry Christmas 2025

 

Merry Christmas

and a blessed New Year!

Frontotemporal Dementia Caregivers

Thank you Emma Willis. You are an answer to our prayers.

While I am so sad that Bruce Willis has Frontotemporal dementia, I knew his diagnosis would bring worldwide awareness to FTD. 

And now Emma's book The Unexpected Journey is going to have a profound impact on the lives of dementia caregivers around the world.

~ There are more than 11 million unpaid caregivers for those with dementia in the United States.

~ Rosalynn Carter’s famous quote ~ There are only four kinds of people in the world ~ those that have been caregivers, those that are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.

~ 40 percent of dementia caregivers die before the ones they are caring for. It isn’t a disease or accident that takes these caregivers, but rather the sheer physical, mental and emotional toll of caring for someone with dementia.

Let me share a couple stories ~

20+ years ago, my husband and I were sitting around a table with friends at a backyard wedding reception. Everyone was asking Rick about his wife, who we could see surrounded by friends, celebrating the recent news that her cancer was in remission. 

Then one of Rick's friends asked him, "Rick, how are YOU doing?" Rick immediately started crying. No one had ever asked him that before. 

At that moment he felt seen, supported and safe to share his story as a caregiver.

I will never forget hearing a voice in my mind say "Linda, remember what you just witnessed. Don't forget to ask the caregiver how they are doing." I haven't.  

Little did I know that one day I would be one.

I also will never forget going to church soon after I had placed Randy in a memory care facility. Two dear women came up to me, expressing compassion for me, asking me how I was doing. I affirmed them by thanking them for asking me how I was doing. 

But one of them was crying and kept apologizing for the tears. I told her, "No, do not feel bad for crying, because at this moment, YOU are carrying the weight of my grief. I am not alone in feeling the full impact of my sorrow, because you have entered into my heartache". And you know what, I wasn't crying like I usually am... because she was even carrying my tears. 

Caregiving is lonely. Isolating. They don't know how to ask for help. 

So show up. Ask them how they are doing. Listen to their stories. Share the weight of their grief. Let them see your tears. Pray with them. 

And bring them a loaf of sourdough bread. 😊

Love that I get to be Randy's caregiver (August 2016)

Randy Thompson Website

So excited to announce that RandyThompson.org has a brand new website! 

Randy created the original website almost 25 years ago. 

This one is a beautiful tribute to Randy's legacy...

his 30+ years in full-time ministry.

Featured sections include -

About ~ Book ~ Music ~ Lyrics ~ Pics

Thank you for checking it out!

RandyThompson.org

Waiting on the Lord

Randy is in his 15th year since showing signs that something was wrong. 

He was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2014. 

I placed him in memory care in 2018. 

He hasn't talked since the pandemic lockdown in 2020.

Thankfully he still walks, but very slowly. 

He's becoming more unsteady lately, requiring a wheelchair at times. 

He eats real well. But needs caregivers to assist him more.

I could never have imagined he would still be with us after 15 years.

As much as I want him to be with Jesus, I panic when there's a sudden decline.

And the harsh reality... I don't know how to move forward without him. 

In my grief and sadness I can't seem to get motivated to do much.

So I wait.

Well, recently I read that "waiting" is an action word.

"Waiting in the context of scripture, particularly when referring to "Waiting on the Lord", is often described as an active and purposeful action, rather then a passive one. It involves more than just sitting idly, it's about actively trusting, seeking God's presence, and remaining engaged in faith while anticipating His will and timing."

God knows the numbers of our days. He knows when Randy's time on earth is done.

And God is definitely not done with Randy. 

There is purpose in his presence at Brookdale.

So, I will be more purposeful, more mindful... while waiting for God to take Randy home. 

Because God's not done with me either. I just need to fully trust Him as He leads me.

Gratefulness is another action word. An act of faith.

Acknowledging God's goodness amidst pain and heartache 

is bringing about a gradual shift in my perspective.

It shifts my sights from my present circumstance to His sovereignty, 

His great love for me.

Thank you God for the transforming, renewing of my mind.

Thank you for Your Word.

Thank you that ~

I am greatly blessed!

I am deeply loved!

I am highly favored by God!

Thank you that Randy still leans in for an eskimo kiss.

That's how I know he knows me... and loves me.

Mindful in 2025

Mindful in 2025. 

That's my word. Being aware. Alert. Bearing in mind. Being attentive to.

Mindful Behavior means

maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environments, through a gentle, nurturing lens. (Love that!)

Mindfulness is

 embracing God's promises. Living life fully. Being fully present. 

Mindfulness is

accepting our experiences, in each moment, as a gift from God.

Mindfulness is

responding in a calm, intensional manner ~ acknowledging my emotions, labeling them, finding compassion and moving forward.

So of course God would take me through the process.

I have been writing in preparation for my husband Randy Thompson's new website. Plus editing 84 song lyrics off his old website. I was becoming more and more frustrated because nothing is as easy as I had hoped. By the time I was drowning in a puddle of tears I could see God was showing me how to be mindful in these moments.

So I acknowledged my emotions (anger, sadness, grief) as I stomped around the house, crying out to God. Then I was able to label it as being more about missing Randy than my lack of abilities, knowing he could do what I was doing blindfolded. Ok, I'm exaggerating. But still. I am technologically challenged. Then I gave myself grace. God's grace. To show myself compassion. To let go and let God. And move forward. Which is the hardest part. I'm good at beating myself up. Being the victim. Feeling stuck. Not accepting my limitations. 

The task that pushed me over the edge?

 I discovered Randy forgot a song on the Lyrics section of his website. That meant I had to listen to the song and write out the lyrics. No big deal. But this was after having to do it for two other songs he had omitted. By this time I was done, so over the whole process. I was mad at God, at Randy, for making this edit even harder. As I cried, God reminded me of the title of the song... Trust Me. How about listening to the words as you write out the lyrics. You guys... it was never about Randy forgetting to list the song. It was about 30 years later, in prep for the new website, that Randy's song Trust me would minister to me in a profoundly personal way. Oh Lord... you continue to love me and find ways to show you care deeply for me. It might feel lonely in this process of preserving Randy's legacy. But I am never alone. You are with me, using Randy's book and song lyrics to show Yourself so real to me. I trust You.

Trust Me

And the stars shown bright

As I bowed my head that night

And I could feel His arms close tightly all around me

And His joy replaced the tears I’d shed so freely

But I didn’t say a word, and the only thing I heard

He just said Trust Me

Open up your heart and Trust Me

I’ll lift you up where no one has ever gone

I’ll give you peace like this world has never known 

I’ll bring you joy when all your joy is gone

Open up you’ll see I can set your spirit free

If you’ll just Trust Me

Open up your heart and Trust Me

And I sat so still 

The love I felt so very real 

I’d never known a feeling like this before

I wanted just to stay there forevermore 

And feel Him hold me tight

The way He did the night

I heard Him say Trust Me

Open up your heart and Trust Me

I’ll lift you up where no one has ever gone

I’ll give you peace like this world has never known 

I’ll bring you joy when all your joy is gone

Open up you’ll see I can set your spirit free

If you’ll just Trust Me

Open up your heart and Trust Me

Trust Me

Birthdays & Frontotemporal Dementia

 

My daughter Miranda happened to snap an image of her Dad & I that stunned me. He looks just like Randy before dementia. His eyes were both looking at the camera. I couldn't believe it. And you know what? I needed it. I needed a glimpse at what he looked like. He's still in there. And I know he still knows me.

Birthdays are hard. Another year wondering how his dementia is going to progress. What is the next decline going to look like. Was this his last birthday? As much as I want him to be with Jesus, I panic with every decline. But I was so thankful he was having a good day when our daughter and her family came to celebrate his 71st birthday. He would just stare at her, his grandchildren, his son-in-law. Like he knew them. What a gift. To see him so aware, so present. God is so good to give us sweet memories to remember.

Even though I am his caregiver, his advocate, he is still my husband and the love of my life. He still makes my heart skip a beat when I see him, when he hugs me, pats my bottom, when we touch noses. 

I will leave you with a powerful truth from Randy's book A Believer's Journey.

"If I have no firm conviction, then every trial that I encounter in my life becomes a test of God's goodness, rather than what it is ~ an opportunity to live by faith in Christ. This firm conviction keeps me dependent on Him rather than myself. Otherwise I will start trying to run my own life and I do not have the ability to do that. I will quit and give up on the journey, and then I will miss the joy of having persevered and endured, and stand at the end of all things knowing I finished well and held steadfast in my faith."

Randy Thompson ~ A Believer's Journey

August 2024 recap

• celebrated our 45th Wedding Anniversary! 
• deposited $101 in rolled coins last week.
• we seriously paid for our 3 night honeymoon in CA with rolled coins.
• found the perfect baby doll for Randy @ Goodwill for $2.49.
• a friend replaced the hatch springs on my 18 year old van. bye-bye broom stick!
• I walk while I talk on the phone inside my house.
• I've been doing it since the start of the pandemic.
• sometimes I walk over 10,000 steps during phone calls in one day.
• I talk on the phone a lot.
• I'm fostering my daughter's little dog June.
• they want me to keep her.
• my 8 year old grandson Will told his parents "I worry about Mimi in that big old house all alone."
• so he thinks I need June ~ she really is the best dog.
• Randy's book ~ in its 1st full month on the market.
• trusting God to put this book in the hands of those that need it.
• another record breaking summer ~ so far 96 consecutive days of 100+ degrees.  
• paid $10 for a Shark Ultralight Stick vacuum @ Goodwill ~ retails $229 on Amazon!
• why so cheap? It was filthy dirty. Looks as good as new now!
• finally going to make my backyard livable. 
• haven't done a thing to it in 14 years, since Randy got sick. 
• one big unsightly mass of weeds. I can't wait to transform it.
• I've been going around collecting free bricks off Marketplace.
• I have plans to do some serious hardscaping myself.
• it was the 8th Annual Ride for Ronnie Tribute Ride.
• my brother died of cancer. (multiple myeloma) 
• you can read his story HERE
• 70+ cycles participated in the Tribute Ride, raising a lot of money to help families fighting cancer.
• 18 years ago this month I started my blog. You can read my first blog post HERE. So excited to be blogging again!

Our 45th Wedding Anniversary

Today was so special. I delivered a baby girl to Randy on our anniversary. 

Ok, I didn't actually deliver a baby, but I hand-delivered a baby doll for Randy to love & nurture. I found out this week that when the caregivers gave him a baby doll to hold, he spent 2 hours patting her and holding her gently. I was so surprised. But it got me to thinking... everyone needs someone or something to nurture, and Randy's instincts to nurture is so strong. He always loved babies. I remember his Mom telling me while we were dating that Randy was obsessed with babies from the time he was a little boy. 

Baby Darling even looks like our daughter Miranda. 

Oh how he loved being her Daddy!

Randy with our first born grandbaby Emolyn Kate. She's 16 now!

Oh how he loved being her Pop Pop!

He adored our three children, but especially as newborns. I remember nursing them, handing them over to him, crawling back into bed, while he would spend hours rocking them, burping them, patting them, walking them and singing to them. Often times it would be time to nurse again before he had even put them down to sleep. 

He loved the baby stage.

 

 Seeing him so tender and intuitive with Baby Darling brought me to tears. While he shows no expression, his gentle demeanor melts my heart. When I finally left, I had such a peace knowing he was caring for his baby. In his dementia world, he may even think he's caring for his daughter Miranda. Wouldn't that be the sweetest!

Randy's Book Reveal!

 A Believer's Journey was released on July 26th, 2024.

When my book arrived Saturday the 27th, I couldn't wait to show Randy the next day!

He was finally going to hold the book he finished writing over 10 years ago,

just before he was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia in 2014. 

He no longer communicates. And he shows no expressions.

But I just know that he knew!

He stared at it so intently, as though he knew.

He listened as I read excerpts from the book, as though he remembered.

I was praising God from Whom all blessings flow!

Thank you for buying his book. I appreciate it more than you could ever know!

So blessed to hear from so many of you that have been changed 

because of Randy's words.

That can only come from the Lord! 

A Believer's Journey is available HERE