Living summer to the fullest

My name is Brian Stanley and I live in Prince George with my partner of 27 years, Penny. We are parents to four children aged 22 to 33, the “4 Zeds,” as well as two fantastic grandchildren.

Since my diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2022, we have purposely attempted to have this experience mean something and help any way possible to combat stigma through increased public awareness. I have been extremely honoured to have been a part of webinars presented by the Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon.

The summer is an exquisite time of possibility and always has been in my life. As a young athlete, I saw most people laze in the heat of July and August at the lake, drinking a few cold ones. However, I always enjoyed playing and training hard and having lots of fun doing so in the seasonal heat. It gave me an edge.

Understanding that being in the gym, at the track, the lacrosse box or wrestling mat is not most people’s preferred figurative beverage, it was mine! I still have the mind set although at 61, the body is as far from willing as you can get. Sigh!

Outdoor life is also very important for our healthy and balanced lifestyle. Over the past number of years, Penny and I have become, in my humblest of opinion, passable gardeners. She is much better than I will ever be but spending this time with her helps us grow closer and I couldn’t be here without her.

The fact is, there are so many things that are great about the summer. The cloudless, hot days where the sun beats down from its perch in the brilliant blue sky, the violence of a central interior thunder storm, dozens of lakes full of refreshing clear water to swim in with beaches to picnic on after. Canada Day at the park.

I love all four seasons all for different reasons, but the intensity of the summer makes it fun to be alive and spurs me on to live life to the fullest.

- Brian Stanley