Rd bk. X Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." — Pablo Picasso

A

Here’s a clear, bullet‑point summary of Until My Memory Fails Me by Sharon Lukert, including select quotes:

📘 Summary

• Diagnosis & Journey
  Buddhist chaplain Sharon Lukert was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in 2021 at age 66. The book chronicles her emotional path from shock to acceptance  .
• Mindfulness-Based Tools
  Lukert presents mindfulness and meditation techniques—such as “The Handshake,” “Just Like Me,” Open Awareness, and Tonglen loving-kindness practice—tailored specifically for those facing cognitive decline  .
• Practical Guidance
  She offers advice on managing diagnosis, understanding tests, talking to healthcare providers, combating bias, maintaining communication, and dealing with new symptoms  .
• Narrative & Community
  Interwoven with her own story are community voices—“dementia ancestors” and peers—who provide wisdom and empathy from shared experiences  .
• Reframing Identity & Suffering
  Lukert encourages letting go of identity tied to abilities and cultivating patience, self-compassion, humor, and presence—for oneself and loved ones  .

🔖 Selected Quotes

“Some of that comes from the stigma and the misinformation about dementia… But life can be vibrant, rich, and fulfilling even in the face of a diagnosis.” 

“We are more than the things we do… Every time I can’t remember something… there’s a sense of loss. But we are so much more than that.” 

“Just like me, this person wants to be happy. Just like me, this person wants to be safe.”

– A practice learned from Pema Chödrön for cultivating compassion and patience 

🧭 Why It Matters

• Unique focus: It’s the first mindfulness‑based self‑help book written specifically for those with MCI  .
• Broad relevance: Equally valuable for loved ones, caregivers, and anyone concerned about cognitive health.
• Authentic & grounded: Written from lived experience and decades as a Buddhist chaplain, offering both vulnerability and spiritual strength  .

If you’d like a deeper dive—such as summaries of individual chapters, more quotes, or reflections on specific meditation practices—I’m happy to help.