By Bella Owens

Lewy Body Dementia has been on the news lately because of the famous people suffering from it.

Four years ago, our son got married at a destination beach wedding in Southern Maryland.

Southern Maryland has a small-town vacation vibe, with scenic waterways and tall trees canopying the narrow, two-way roads.

We stayed the whole weekend to celebrate this joyous and exciting occasion, which was the first for my small family.

Our son and his fiancée decided to have the whole wedding at the same place to make it easy for the wedding party. We had the rehearsal dinner by the water on the eve of the wedding, the ceremony and the wedding reception were walking distance away, and the traditional after-wedding party was in the bridal suite in the early morning.

Traditions dictate that the father helps his son get ready for the wedding. I tried to get my husband to go over and help Michael get ready, but I noticed he was not so inclined, so I did his part.

My husband and I walked together during the wedding ceremony, and I could sense he was getting overwhelmed. Immediately after the wedding dinner and traditional dances, I suggested he rest. He eagerly agreed to be walked back to our suite.

I noticed that sufferers of Lewy Body Dementia get tired faster after new activities and sensory overload hits. Also, their confusion is more aggravated with new surroundings.

When everyone was asleep, I woke up around 3 a.m. and noticed my husband was not in bed, I told myself he was just in the bathroom. After 15 minutes, I got up to check and he was not in the bathroom nor anywhere in the suite of rooms we were occupying. I went outside as our suite had two rocking chairs facing the water, thinking maybe he was outside enjoying the early morning air. He was not there.

I returned inside and retrieved the room key, as the door automatically locks once it is closed. I noticed then that one of the rocking chairs fell sideways by the plant bushes.

There were three pathways: left led to the events building, straight up led to the beach, and the right led to the parking and exit. I turned right and started yelling his name. I was in my pajamas running in the pathways that led to the main road, yelling his name under the glaring streetlights. It was eerie.

I ran back and went straight to the beach; I kept on calling his name, I was crying thinking of the worst.

I ran back to the street yelling his name. After what seemed to be a lifetime, although it may only be a few seconds, I decided to call 911 and I reported him missing, I told them of his illness. I was asked for the exact street address; I did not know so I ran back to the front of the main building because I remembered seeing it there.

I was debating if I should wake up my children. I know they just went to bed because of the after-party. Instead, I ran back to the suite and woke up my brother and sister-in-law, and asked for their help.

We went back out again and split the pathways among us. After what seemed an eternity, I saw him walking back towards me with my sister-in-law coming from the event’s’ building path.’

He was shivering and crying. He told me he kept yelling my name, and that he heard me calling him. He saw the lights across from the water and he thought I was on the other side. He told me I did not come for him. It was the first time I saw how afraid he was.

He was barefoot and the rocks from the beach cut his feet. I cleaned him up and put him to bed. After a few hours during breakfast, I told our kids what had happened.

As we drove back home, I kept on playing in my mind what transformed. It took me a week to process what had happened and the true nature and stage of his illness. I finally sat our children down and told them what I have been dreading, to admit that his illness has progressed.

Our children are very smart and are attuned to what has been happening. We started preparing for their dad’s final days with maturity and so much love. He passed away in 10 months.

I promised I would just keep our story to myself. This July 2025 would have been our 36th wedding anniversary.

I just learned that we are created in this world for human flourishing. Any beautiful story—whether good or bad—should be celebrated and shared with humanity to help others hopefully flourish.

This illness is real and heart-breaking for anyone to go through but making the most of your time together as a family can be the most beautiful thing in the world!