Meet Anthony
Welcome Everyone! I'm Anthony!
I am one of Helen's 14 grandkids. I was inspired to start this website because my grandmother is one of the most amazing women I have known and loved. my grandmother throughout my whole life instilled in our hearts the importance of taking care of ALL of God's people, especially those who don't have the easiest of lives.
From as far back as my memories go, my grandmother was always our best cheerleader and encourager. We knew deep in our hearts that we could do ANYTHING we wanted to do because GRAMA believed in us. My grandmother was one of my biggest cheerleaders when I decided to go to culinary school, when I applied for my dream job, When I finally told her my deepest secret, when I decided to start teaching, and when I realized I had found my life-long companion and love of my life.
I grew up a carefree kid in the midwest of the buckeye state. If I wasn't doing something that involved Disney, or trying to come up with my next great "Idea"; I was Spending time with my "Grams", playing cards, singing our high notes and low notes, or visiting our make-believe town "Schamokeda".
When I was 5 my grandparents took our whole family on a trip to Disney "Weeeeld"(as i called it then). after the 3pm parade at the magic kingdom, I wrapped my arms around my grama's neck and gave her the biggest hug and whispered in her ear... "I'm gonna work here someday!"... I don't remember exactly what my grandmother said but I'm sure her eyes twinkles and she smiled that beautiful irish smile and assured me that i can do ANYTHING i want to do!!!!
exactly 20 years later ALMOST to the day... my eyes filled with tears of joy as i called my grandmother from the campus of Johnson & Wales University in north Miami Florida to tell her the good news: i just got accepted into the Disney College Program, and the Chef let me pick where I wanted to work! EPCOT Events is the location I chose, EPCOT's catering department and home of the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival.
a few years after I started my dream job i made the most difficult decision i would ever make, even though it was the easiest for me to decide on. without being asked, without being prompted, I chose to return home to Ohio. My grandmother's health was declining. At the time we had more questions than answers, I just knew I needed to return home to be closer to my grandparents who had done so much for me. Little did we know at this time that we were 3 years into a 10 year battle with Alzheimer's, and a diagnosis wouldn't come for another 3 years.
Today, I am a chef instructor at Rhodes State College & Apollo Career Center, And amidst planning a July 2017 Wedding, I have immersed myself in advocacy for those affected by Alzheimer's and other Dementias.
at 10:45pm On December 10th of 2016, 3 days after celebrating her 86th birthday, I got the call I had been dreading for a decade. my family and I rushed to my grandmothers bedside, having just left there 3 hours before. we gathered around her and prayed many prayers, and we told her we loved her. I sat at her bedside holding her left hand, as my grandfather was holding her right hand. as the room was quiet I softly sang my beloved grams her favorite hymns. As I Sang "On Eagles Wings", one of her absolute favorites, I got to the lyrics at the end of the song:
For to His angels He's given a command
To guard you in all of your ways
Upon their hands they will bear you up...
At that exact moment I felt the hand of an angel grab my hand, and with that I knew I had sung my grandmother to sleep...Heavenly sleep.
So here I am... Doing my Part to help spread the word about Alzheimer's, doing my part to help spread advocacy for those fighting this horrible disease, and doing my part to help better the quality of life for those currently fighting Alzheimer's until the day comes where we can announce the first survivor!
Here I am... to help spread My grandmother's anthem of:
"KEEP [PUT] A SMILE ON YOUR FACE, AND A SONG IN YOUR HEART"
In Hopes that we can spread the spirit of Joy that can be found IF you put a smile on your face and a song in your heart, especially during the trying times that pop up in life.
