Young Soon Doolen

I don’t know how to explain the impact that Young Soon Doolen had on my life. Her daughters were my best friends throughout middle school and high school. We stayed close after graduation. I grew up with all of them. Although I am very close with my own family, Young Soon was almost like another mother to me. Her untimely struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease was a tragedy. Her recent death even more so. Her funeral is today, and I wish I could be there. However, my financial situation is grave, and I can’t travel right now. I can’t express my regret enough that I am not there to say good-bye.

I will miss her. Even when Alzheimer’s had taken so much of her memory, she remembered me. I can’t say how much that means. I know she got worse since the last time I saw her, but I just want to remember her as I saw her and as I knew her. My thoughts are with my other family today. I can’t begin to comprehend how they must feel. Although I am grieving, I know their pain is worse than mine.

This is a photo of Young Soon that I took after her granddaughter did her makeup. Alzheimer’s had already taken it’s toll, but she smiled when I asked if I could take her picture. So happy. I’ll miss her.