Paint Clover Purple

06/04/2026

The Little Things: Living with Dementia, by Laurie Waters
Episode 21- Leaving Your Mark
One of the things I have learned since my diagnosis is that life is not measured only by how long we live, but by the impact we have on others while we are here.
This week, I will be officiating another wedding. Last year, I became an ordained minister, and I have found great joy in helping couples begin a new chapter in their lives. There is something incredibly special about standing beside two people as they promise to walk through life together.
Sometimes I think about the fact that my journey may end earlier than most because of dementia. That reality can be difficult to face. But when I perform a wedding ceremony, I feel as though I am leaving a little piece of myself behind...a small contribution to a family's story that will continue long after I am gone.
Don't get me wrong. I know I am already leaving a legacy through many things: the Peer-to-Peer Support Groups I host, my speaking engagements around the world, co-founding Walking the Talk for Dementia Institute, and founding Paint Clover Purple Association. More importantly, I hope I am leaving a legacy with my husband, children, grandchildren, family, friends, and even some of the people who may not have always agreed with me.
The truth is, every one of us is leaving a legacy.
I have several friends living with dementia around the world who are doing exactly that. Some create beautiful artwork that tells their story when words become difficult. Others have written books, cookbooks, blogs, or hosted podcasts. Some advocate on stages. Others quietly support a friend who needs encouragement.
Every single one of them is leaving a mark on this world.
The amazing thing is that changing the world doesn't always require a large audience. Sometimes it happens through a single conversation. A moment of kindness. A shared experience. A word of encouragement.
You may never know the impact you have had on another person's life.
Perhaps a conversation inspired someone to become a doctor, researcher, nurse, social worker, caregiver, or advocate. Perhaps your courage helped someone seek a diagnosis, ask for help, or simply keep going one more day.
Moments matter.
Connections matter.
People matter.
So this week, I encourage you to do something that brings you joy. Paint. Write. Garden. Sing. Volunteer. Travel. Spend time with people you love. Find something that makes your heart happy.
Because when we do the things that bring us joy, we often leave behind something much greater than we realize.
A memory.
An inspiration.
A legacy.
And that may be one of the most important little things of all.
— Laurie Waters

05/29/2026

The Little Things: Living with Dementia, by Laurie Waters
Episode 20 - Never Underestimate Laughter

People often focus so much on the sadness of dementia that they forget we still need joy.

We still laugh.
We still joke.
We still enjoy silly moments.

Some of my best days are not the “perfect memory” days — they are the days filled with laughter, kindness, and connection.

A funny story.
A shared smile.
A moment of silliness.

Those little things can carry us through very hard days.

I am so fortunate to be married to a natural comedian. Not a day goes by that Ricky and I don’t laugh together. We are constantly joking with one another. We even joke about dementia sometimes. Some people may think that is offensive, but for us, it is how we cope with this disease.

Finding joy every day helps make this battle worth fighting.

Laughter does not take away the reality of dementia, but it helps lighten the weight of it.

I thank the Lord every day for bringing Ricky into my life. Next week we celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary, and through all the hard days, the laughter has never stopped.

Sometimes the little things that help us survive are simply love, humor, and someone willing to laugh beside us. 💜

05/24/2026

There are moments in life that remind us why awareness, understanding, and human connection matter so deeply. 💜

Living with dementia has changed my life in many ways, but it has also shown me the power of speaking openly, building community, and helping others feel less alone.

I invite you to take a few moments to watch this important video and help us continue changing the way the world sees people living with dementia. Every conversation matters. Every shared story matters. And every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.

Please watch, share, and help spread awareness. Together, we can continue changing perspectives and creating a world filled with more compassion, inclusion, and hope.

“Find Your People.” 💜

🎥 Watch here:
https://youtu.be/WfTyZD0EYME?si=UOEFV8z39ovOVqI9

Dementia is a condition that impacts millions of families around the world — whether personally or through someone we love. As the number of people living wi...

05/20/2026

🌿 The Little Things: Living with Dementia, by Laurie Waters

Episode 19: Destiny Beyond Diagnosis 🌍

Sometimes the “little things” are actually the biggest things of all…

learning to accept ourselves, our emotions, and finding purpose again after diagnosis.

When I was first diagnosed with Younger Onset Dementia, I truly believed it was a death sentence filled with fear, pain, uncertainty, and heartbreak. I could not imagine what my future would look like.

Yet here I am, 8 years later, helping change the way the world sees people living with dementia.

In many ways, I believe destiny has a purpose for some of us. Sometimes our greatest adversity becomes the very thing that changes not only our own lives, but the lives of others around us.

Since my diagnosis, I have traveled more than I ever did before.....speaking across the country and around the world, sharing awareness, breaking stigma, and showing people that although I may have a diagnosis, that diagnosis does not have me.

I can no longer work a traditional job, and I understand why. I have good days and difficult days. I would never want to risk making a mistake that could impact someone else. But what I can do is volunteer, advocate, and speak openly about the realities of living with dementia.

I no longer worry about speaking perfectly or following a written script. In truth, I often cannot. So instead, I speak from my heart. And maybe that is exactly why my message matters. It is real. It is honest. It is human.

There are still days when I break down crying in public. For a long time, I felt embarrassed by the emotional changes dementia has brought into my life. My emotions can go from sorrow, to rage, to laughter, to overwhelming joy in a matter of minutes. Living with dementia often feels like experiencing every emotion at full volume.

But I have finally come to understand something important:

This does not make me weak.

It makes me human.

My diagnosis has changed me, but it has also opened my eyes to deeper compassion, deeper purpose, and deeper connection with others.

If my journey has taught me anything, it is this:

Even in adversity, there can still be meaning.

Even in loss, there can still be purpose.

And even after diagnosis… there can still be a beautiful life worth living.

To anyone struggling today.....please know you are not alone.

Find your people. Speak your truth. Allow yourself grace.

And never let a diagnosis define the beauty of who you are. 💜 These are the little things.

05/19/2026

Here is an incredibly insightful podcast Charles did with me last week💜💜💜

Dementia is a condition that impacts millions of families around the world — whether personally or through someone we love. As the number of people living wi...

05/13/2026

One conversation that continues to come up globally among People Living with Dementia is this: “Nothing About Us, Without Us.”

Not only do People Living with Dementia deserve a seat at the table, we deserve to be recognized as experts in the work we help shape.

Expertise does not only come from degrees, titles, or research papers. Sometimes expertise comes from living something every single day. We live the reality of dementia. We navigate the stigma, the losses, the adaptations, the relationships, the healthcare systems, and the fight to continue living meaningful lives. That lived experience matters.

I want to sincerely thank organizations that are helping move this forward by not only including People Living with Dementia in discussions, but recognizing our voices, insights, and expertise as valuable and necessary.

Thank you to Alzheimer's Disease International’s (ADI) and the Global Dementia Expert Panel (GDEP) for recognizing the importance of lived experience and ensuring People Living with Dementia are part of global conversations.

Thank you to Walking the Talk for Dementia Institute, where I am proud to serve as a founding board member and co-founder, for creating spaces where People Living with Dementia are seen, heard, respected, and empowered.

Thank you to Voices of Alzheimer's for consistently including People Living with Dementia on their board and as champions for change.

And thank you to all the organizations, researchers, professionals, care partners, and advocates around the world who truly understand that meaningful inclusion is more than consultation...it is partnership, recognition, and respect.

Examples like these show how important our voice is.

We are not just participants in this conversation.

We are living it.

And our voices matter. 💟

The Little Things: Living with Dementia

05/10/2026

🌸 The Little Things: Living with Dementia — Episode 16 🌸
💐 Mother’s Day Edition 💐

Today, on Mother’s Day, I want to share a little about Moms and the journey families face when dementia becomes part of life.

Dementia can be very tricky and emotional for the children and loved ones of People Living with Dementia. Whether you are grieving the diagnosis, grieving lost memories, or feeling heartbroken because your Mom no longer remembers your name, please know this:

✨ Love does not disappear. ✨

No matter how far along someone may be in their dementia journey, the love inside them still remains. A mother’s love is deep, powerful, and lasting. Even when words become difficult, memories fade, or recognition changes, the feelings of comfort, safety, and love are often still there in ways we may not always see.

So please… still show up.
Still hold her hand.
Still hug her.
Still tell her you love her.
Still sit beside her and share your presence.

Because deep inside, that connection still matters.

Today, I also want to thank all the incredible women out there; mothers, grandmothers, daughters, wives, sisters, aunties, friends, and care partners, who love and care for those living with dementia every single day. Your patience, compassion, strength, and kindness mean more than words can express.

You are the quiet heroes walking beside us through some of life’s hardest moments, and your love makes all the difference.

To every woman loving and supporting someone living with dementia:
💜 Thank you.
💜 You are appreciated.
💜 You are making a difference, even on the days it may not feel like it.

Wishing everyone a peaceful, love-filled Mother’s Day. It's the little things. 🌷

05/05/2026

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/KcERfBQsTJiICZwMV3Omtw

05/03/2026

The Little Things – Living with Dementia, by Laurie Waters
Episode 15: Enjoy Nature

One of the most calming times of the year for me is spring and fall. There is something special about the changing seasons that brings peace to my heart and mind.

I find so much joy in planting seeds, watering them, and watching them grow into beautiful flowers and plants. It reminds me that growth takes time, patience, and care. Even the smallest seed can become something wonderful.

Another joy in my life is watching the birds. Our daughter gave us an amazing bird feeder camera for Christmas, and it has become one of my favorite gifts. I love seeing the birds visit each day and watching the baby birds grow into adults. It is such a simple thing, but it brings so much happiness.

Nature has a way of calming the soul. Whether it is walking through a park, in the woods, or simply around the neighborhood, being outside helps me feel grounded. The fresh air and the fragrance of blooming flowers are soothing and often help me sleep better at night.

Sometimes relaxing can be as simple as sitting on the porch, listening to the sounds of nature, or enjoying a good audiobook. I can no longer read books the way I once did, but listening to them has opened a new door for me. Sometimes I replay chapters because I may not remember everything from the day before, and that is okay.

Living with dementia has taught me to embrace changes rather than fight them. I have learned to focus on what I can do instead of what I have lost. If that means listening to the same chapter twice, then I simply enjoy the story twice. And as a bonus, I buy fewer books now than I used to.

Take time this week to step outside, breathe deeply, and enjoy nature.

Sometimes the little things are simply a quiet walk, fresh air, birds singing, and letting nature calm the soul. 🌿

04/27/2026

People Living with Cognitive Impairment. You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: every Tuesday 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KcERfBQsTJiICZwMV3Omtw