Emma Julia's Journey: Our Family's Faith Walk Through Dementia

Emma Julia had vascular dementia. This is her story - one that recounts this prayer warrior's life before the diagnosis, her illness' progression, and the peaks and valleys of her family's caregiving experiences.

Questions, prayers, strengths, vulnerabilities, loneliness, laughter, tears, disappointments, triumphs - previously cloistered places - are recalled, as her children help her live her best life during this challenging season. Even when the ravages of her condition take hold and the family's thoughts turn toward eternity, this mother's love finds its way to them through her lessons about courage, patience, compassion, joy, and faith. They learn to love their Mama more, and they grow in relationship with each other.

The narrative, scriptures, and "helps" offer caregivers spiritual nourishment and practical support. The messages of promise remind readers that God will never leave us. And when we are weak, He reveals Himself in powerful and magnificent ways. Janice Larrymore seeks to tangibly touch the hurting and those caring for others. She has a heart for the sick, the elderly, and caregivers and has spent decades attending to the needs of family members with chronic medical conditions.

A seasoned youth Sunday School teacher, skit writer, and former leader of a compassion ministry, she pens devotionals for Vessels of Comfort Ministries, a charitable non-profit organization serving individuals experiencing a crisis. For 30 years, she worked for government and education entities as a communications officer, teacher, grant, speech, and technical writer - focusing on public and higher education, disability services, mental health, and staff development.

A South Carolina native, Larrymore earned a master's degree in journalism/public relations from the University of South Carolina. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reassures her that His grace is sufficient; His strength is made perfect in weakness; and His power rests upon her. She is founder of Shammah's Touch, a charitable nonprofit which encourages caregivers. Visit her online at www.janicelarrymore.com