The Gift of One More Day at the Dunes

May 12

By Donna Lane
Traverse City, MI

It was like a flip was switched. Some sparkle was back in his eyes.

— Sophie

It was one of those perfect August days in northern Michigan—sunny, a light breeze, nothing too hot. The kind of day you don’t think twice about, until later when you realize how much it meant.

Jeff was excited to try the track chair. He was also scared. By that point, Lewy body dementia had taken a lot from him—slowly, piece by piece. Things he once did without thinking—driving, walking long distances, just moving freely—had become difficult or gone.

“It was like a flip was switched. Some sparkle was back in his eyes.” — Sophie

When he got into the track chair, we weren’t sure how it would go. But the moment he put his hand on the control, something changed. He figured it out quickly—faster than any of us expected.

Jeff had given up driving a couple of years earlier. For someone who loved cars, that was a big loss. That day, even in a different kind of vehicle, he had that feeling back again—being in control, making decisions, moving on his own.

“He was able to control it… at a time when his life was no longer under his control.” — Marylou

As they made their way through the woods and toward the dunes, something else happened. He started laughing. Not just smiling—but really laughing.

Sophie said he was navigating bumps and roots and laughing while doing it. For a little while, the grandpa we all knew was right there again—confident, engaged, and enjoying the moment.

“It brought new life out of him.” — Daniel

But what stays with me just as much is what I saw in the grandchildren. They were patient, kind, and fully present with him. There was no rushing, no frustration—just quiet support and time together.

Brooke said it was nice to experience something with him again. Brynn said it reminded her of when he was more active—and she was glad others could have this too.

There was something quietly powerful about that day. In earlier years, Jeff had given so much to them—his time, his energy, his love of being outdoors. That day, they gave something back.

“He could keep up—sometimes even outpacing them.” — Esther

The track chair didn’t just get him to the beach. It let him be part of things again.

Sleeping Bear Dunes has always meant a lot to our family. Jeff spent years at Esch Beach counting piping plovers. We floated the Platte River and watched the dunes rise up in silence—one of those views that makes everyone stop and take it in.

But as his condition got worse, those outings stopped. Until this day.

“We were all there together again.” — Marylou

That summer was our last with Jeff. We didn’t know it at the time, but I’m so grateful for that day. It gave us one more memory of him being himself.

Sophie said she will cherish it always. So will I.

If you’re thinking about supporting Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, know this: Programs like the Track Chair don’t just provide access—they give families moments they carry forever.

I still think about that day.