Kids always say the darnedest things. It is astounding how the young view and react to a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. My nephews ages 3 to 8 unconditionally adore and cherish their grandfather. They call him Chini, (pronounced Chee-nee), a term of endearment for grandpa. The youngest, recently potty trained, is dumbfounded as to why grandpa still wears diapers. He asks “Why can’t he just learn to sit on the potty until he does pee-pee?”

Chini has these awkward repetitive movements he does with his arms. He extends his arms high towards the ceiling as if he were pedaling a bicycle. The eldest of my nephews recently said, “Tia (Auntie), he looks like Spiderman.” And endearingly so, his friends at the day care center that he goes to everyday, call him Spiderman as well.

In my mind I am convinced that he wants to climb higher and higher to rise above this debilitating disease.

Nonetheless, all of my nieces and nephews honor Chini with much reverence and dignity. They provide him with infinite hugs that would put Dr. Leo Buscaglia a/k/a Dr. Love to shame! The kids always hold his hand knowing this will prevent a fall and kindly tell him to quite down when he talks to himself. They instinctively know when he is not doing well. They turn towards grandma and say “Things will be okay.” I guess even Superheroes have their day.