Last Friday I received a beautiful gift. Poet and Changing Aging reader Anne Simpson sent me her book of poetry called Growing Down: Poems for an Alzheimer’s Patient. That patient is her husband, Bob, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1995 and today lives in the Wellstead care community in Rogers, Minn. Over the next few days, we’re going to share several narratives and poetry from each section of Growing Down: I. Diagnosis II. Growing Down . . and III. End Stage. We’ll also share news of a new work that she and photographer Laura Crosby have collaborated upon and is making its debut at an exhibit opening next week.Anne wrote Growing Down to promote understanding and support for the many families and communities that are caring for people with Ahlzheimers. Proceeds from sales of the book go to the Minnesota/Dakota Alzheimer’s Association.As the journey continues – a journey of the heart, mind and spirit – Anne’s work explore the feelings of both patient and caregiver. There are poems of loss and grief, certainly, but there are also vital undertones of hope.