Best Dad In The Galaxy: She Said It

It’s a love story about the care my wife and I gave our daughter Lynne when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s as a 51-year-old divorcee with three teenage sons. When my wife died Lynne and I created an intimate father-daughter relationship that I had missed as a fun-loving remote provider. With the help of the Alzheimer's Association, our family and her friends throughout her life united to welcome online caregivers that even embraced a new partner for me. We lived at the heart of a love we never imagined until 2024 when she squeezed her son’s hands goodbye.When Lynne’s toddler twins marched through the house chanting, “I love Grampa!” she gave James a t-shirt that said, “Best Dad in the galaxy,.” He accepted the title and spent the next years proving he’d earned it.After Lynne was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at 51, James and his wife moved from their retirement community to be near her and her teenaged boys. Their children, Keith and Pam, along with their spouses drew close. A year later Karen died of cancer. James’ journey as a widower deepened, transforming him from a provider to an intimate, daily presence in his daughter’s life.James Sylvan Russell is a retired community college Dean, husband of 55 years – built his life on the words of Micah 6:8: “…do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?” This walk was his second walk for Alzheimer’s.Lynne Russell brought warmth and joy to everyone around her. Even after her diagnosis, she remained the heartbeat of the community that formed to love and care for her.Her caregiving community grew through years of loss, COVID isolation, James’ cancer, and through unexpected grace. The in 2022, he met Carol, and Lynne welcomed warmly into the circle. Carol became part of the ever-expanding community that loved and cared for Lynne until 2024, when Lynne said her final farewell by squeezing her boys hands. Read more