One of my most favorite family photos from 63 years ago. I notice the smiles, the bright eyes, the togetherness of my beautiful family. Let me introduce you.
After I make a request.
We’ll start with the beautiful woman on the right-hand side. She’s my sweet mama. Her name will forever be Beverly Harriet. Her favorite name was Mom. Her girlfriends called her Bev. Her lifeline started in June 1934, and her life ended on June 30, 2016. She taught me how to cook, sew, and laugh. Some of my funniest memories are with my mom. And some of the most bittersweet.
Next to her is Lorrinda Allyce. She’s my sweet sister. Oh, sure, we fought. But as the years became more difficult in our lives, we grew closer and closer. We truly love each other. Forever. She was born in February 1955. I call her “sis” and “Lori.” We were each other’s pillar-of-strength after my parents passed away. We “joked” about being orphans.
The handsome man sitting next to Lori is our talented father Donovan Richard (“Dick”). He braved the Korean War and loved his job as a Minneapolis police officer. He bought a very used guitar when he was in Korea and entertained his fellow troops. His assigned battleground was one of the fiercest. He was born on September 28, 1928, and we said goodbye on August 4, 2010.
I was the lucky one to sit on his lap as he held me tight so I wouldn’t fall. He was my rock, even when our words were tough between us. He protected me. We laughed until the tears ran down our faces. He taught me how to make a guitar sing and play complicated board and card games. One of our last times together was when we played guitars at the Marion County Senior Center in Flippin, Arkansas. Our very last time together was two days before he passed away.
Then came Alzheimer’s. Perhaps it’s easier for me to call it “the disease that robs.” It robs the memories from those afflicted, and it robs the time we get to spend with our loved ones who we watch gradually fall away from us.
Much has happened since my last posts in 2019. Tears still flow easy. Grateful for a loving Savior to hold me through the valleys and the mountaintops. Over time, I’ll fill you in.
You’ll be seeing posts again. Hopefully many. I’m now officially retired from a job that was difficult, but one I always appreciated. On the hard days, I told myself that at least the job kept my brain exercised.
From my previous posts, readers could see that I first lost my dad to Alzheimer’s in 2010 and then I lost my mom to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in 2016. Seven years ago, my husband Chuck Knapp assisted in the development with BOB-FM 106.1 radio to set apart five hours of radio on the “longest day” in June as a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. Our next broadcast is Friday, June 19, 2026. Please tune in or livestream at KLCI – My BOB Country | TOTAL Country BOB FM. And then consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association through MY BOB COUNTRY (either online at The Longest Day Broadcast on BOB FM – BOB Total Country or at 763-450-0500). A day filled with hope, optimism, and stories of loss.
Friday, June 19, 2026 – From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (central time).
I will make an announcement around 10:10 a.m. on June 19, 2026, that will be difficult. Perhaps you are reading this post as a result of this announcement.
During difficult times, reach out to Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Our rock. Our salvation. Our eternity.
As always, you can contact me at cheryl@cherylcrofootknapp.com.
Psalm 34:18 (ESV) – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 147:3 (ESV) – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Mother’s Day and holidays like it are special times set aside to reflect on the beauty of those we love. But for some, those days carry a burden of storms and anguish. I spoke about my first Mother’s Day without my mom. She will always be my hero, best friend, and number one fan. She was the first one to hold me, and I was the last one to hold her. Our bond of love for Jesus and each other will never be broken.