Introduction to Purpleville Renegade

Some of my earliest, happy, memories are marked by a 1979 Jeep CJ5 Renegade that my Grandparents took off roading in summer and hunting in the Fall. That Jeep is the symbol of our family when everything felt whole, intact, and invincible. The Jeep itself was the destination and it always had a bonus adventure in store.

My Grandparents loved that Jeep and spent the majority of their time driving through the maze of Northwoods dirt roads. Even as my Grandmother’s memories are stolen by Alzheimer’s Disease, she still loves to ride and being on wheels makes her feel closer to my Grandfather who has been gone more than 6 years.

My Grandparents Larry and Maureen Gaudet

The Summer of 2019 started a week late for me and all of the residents of my hometown of Greenville Maine. On June 27th, 2019 Town Manager Jack Hart proclaimed Greenville would become “Purpleville” for the weekend and in that span of time the entire town (population 4000) came out to host and participate in events that were all designed as fundraisers to help fight Alzheimer’s Disease through the Alzheimer’s Association’s signature Fundraising event, The Longest Day.

Over that weekend, I stayed at the house where my had Grandparents lived for all of my life. Now an Air B & B owned by my cousins Kirby and Rachel, the house became “Purpleville Central” and served as home base for an intensely busy weekend that raised more than $13,000 collectively.

My Grandparents work ethic, sense of adventure, and focus on the simple things in life that matter most helped build the person I am today. My official job title is Community Events Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association but its really the thing that makes it possible for me to travel the state and spread enthusiasm for this fight that has become my calling.

Purpleville Central

Purpleville and that Jeep Renegade symbolize the fight for me and as I travel the state spreading awareness of what Alzheimer’s is and raising money to end it, I get to meet a lot of awesome people and experience some incredible things. Purpleville Renegade is my adventure diary where all of my favorite stories will come to live.

I have come to know what it means to truly live in the present but as some who is nostalgic and sentimental to a fault, I also see tremendous value in documenting the stories that I want to live forever so that someday, if/when Alzheimer’s comes for me, I’ll be armed and ready with a back up drive that I hope brings me comfort and when understanding of my role in the stories is gone. Writing them all down feels like giving these memories a life of their own.

This is the thing I do to not to feel so helpless as I watch my Grandmother slip away from us. The darkness and shame of this disease loves it when our set of values revolves around keeping quiet about our struggles, and just coping with loss over and over and over again until it makes you numb. This blog is me letting go of that set of principles in favor of light, love, color, and happiness in the face of Alzheimer’s evil. This is the day I embrace being a Purpleville Renegade.