Like millions of others, my mother has Alzheimer’s Disease. Her illness has progressed to the point that it is taking a tremendous toll on my father and placing significant pressure on my siblings, especially my sister.

Because mom is the center of our family, her slow descent into dementia has altered our family’s dynamics in many ways. Most obviously, younger members of the family have had to take on many difficult decision-making responsibilities.

Illness plays a prominent role in the Bible including skin and wasting diseases, fevers, hemorrhages, stomach ailments, mental illness, leprosy, plague, and tumors. Sometimes sufferers, particularly those with leprosy, were quarantined. Yet, there are instances of healing and solace throughout scripture. Psalm 23 reminds me that the Lord will be with my mother throughout the travails she experiences. Even though this beautiful psalm gives me comfort, I know things are not likely to change: it is apparent mom will not be restored to full health.

Alzheimer's unfolds and deepens over the course of years. In a sense, this has permitted us to say goodbye to mom in slow motion. We've all adjusted as her capabilities have diminished. At first, it just seemed like the kind of forgetfulness that often comes with aging. Over time it became apparent she simply couldn't remember even what she had just eaten. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, you know what I’m talking about.

During the some 50 years dad was a pastor in local churches, mom served as an elementary school secretary and kept the three kids in line and on task. She isn't a public figure or speaker, but she is shrewd and has been our greatest supporter.

Mom has always been extraordinarily generous. Although she and dad had little money for years and years, they always made sure their children and grandchildren were cared for. They felt the best vacations were family vacations, and the best Christmases were celebrated with everybody present.

I remember once, while in my twenties, I was visiting home and attending church with mom and other family members on Sunday morning. The long pew was filled with Winklers. Mom whispered proudly in my ear, “I bought every stitch of clothing on every person in this pew.”

Disorientation troubles the soul. Over the past few years it has become increasingly difficult for her to be comfortable in large family gatherings. She does much better one-on-one. For me, who does not see her often, it’s easy to be patient when she asks the same questions over and over. On a daily basis, however, that is more challenging.

The wonderful memories we share of countless occasions and events can no longer be recounted with ease. She cannot summon them. In recent years, I attempted to get her to reflect on her own childhood, but that hasn’t worked well. It is said that those with dementia have good days and bad days. I haven’t seen the good days. Soon, she likely won’t be able to recognize me or my children.

I miss the mom who who was strong, vibrant and funny. I love the mom I have. I am grateful she knows the love of God.

On the Violent Dispersal of the Farmers’ Demonstration in Kidapawan

“...Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come and my deliverance be revealed...” (Isaiah 56:1).

Impelled by the severe hunger caused by the intense dry spell in North Cotabato, compounded by empty promises of government aid to avert the debilitating effects of the El Niño phenomenon, some 6,000 farmers and indigenous people took to the main highway in Kidapawan to demand for rice and the release of calamity funds. The peaceful assembly on April 1 was brutally dispersed by state security forces. Their demands were well within the government’s capacity to respond to but the farmers were met by gunfire, hot pursuit and illegal arrests. The demonstrators sought refuge at Spottswood Methodist Mission Center which willingly opened their doors to provide safety. The shots have died down but as of this writing, the farmers continue to be harassed by police and military presence at the Mission Center.

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) raises a thunderous cry of anger at such a senseless and heartless action of the state whose main responsibility is to feed and protect its people. We vehemently denounce the continuing harassment of Bishop Ciriaco Francisco of the United Methodist Church-Davao Episcopal Area and his constituents at Spottswood Methodist Mission Center. We commend their courageous missional deed of putting the church facilities at the service of the unjustly tormented and persecuted. We earnestly pray for endurance as they stand alongside the farmers at such a time as this.

As we painfully mourn the deaths and continuing threats to our sisters and brothers who do not deserve such cruelty, we call for a credible independent investigation of this violation of the people’s right to peaceful assembly and basic social services. We have yet to hear what national leaders have to say about the Kidapawan carnage. Their silence up to this time is frightening. We demand that the donations of various groups and individuals, including showbiz personalities, be given to the farmers hard hit by the weather crisis and now, this violent dispersal of their demonstration. Our faith in the God who cares for the dispossessed will not allow us to be silent until justice is meted out to the perpetrators of this inhuman act.

We challenge the NCCP member churches and our international partners to join the donation campaign to provide immediate relief to our sisters and brothers in Kidapawan and other regions which are in similar straits.

Let the truth rise unmuddled!

Each year, Creation Justice Ministries offers materials to help churches recognize Earth Day. Earth Day Sunday can be recognized April 17 or 24.

The resource is written to be useful year-round. Additional opportune moments to use this resource include September 1, recognized by Orthodox and Catholic communions as the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation, or in October, during the Season of Creation and close to the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.