Explaining Agape and Thonky

Story:

People are always asking us what the words 'Agape' and 'thonky' mean. Both words are featured in our Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's Disease Story Song, which is used in our animated video, and the lyrics to the song serve as the text for our Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer’s Disease Picture Book.

Below is a sample of the animated Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer’s Disease Story Song Video. The complete video is available for you and your children to watch for free on our Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/qh9y6GbPoIk  The Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer's Story Song Video is a great introduction to Alzheimer’s disease, particularly for young children.

Information:

Agape:

Alder first learned the word Agape in Sunday school when she were about 8 years old. She was taught that the ancient Greeks had many different words for love, but there is one special word the Greeks have for a love that is unconditional and constant. That word is ‘Agape.’ The love exemplified by Agape is a love of compassion, empathy, and the support of the well-being of ourselves and others. 

Many years later, Alder facilitated a bereavement group for hospice. One of the participants brought her a 'thank you' card on which she wrote about 'Agape.' She thanked Alder for the love and support she had given to the group. This simple act of Agape filled Alder's heart and allowed her to continue sharing and receiving Agape.

Agape is what we named our main character in the animated Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer’s Disease Story Song and Picture Book. This is a reminder to share Agape love.

Thonky:

Alder's Mom coined the word 'thonky.' She was in the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s and starting to lose her words. One morning, when Alder went to get her our of bed, she asked her mom how she was feeling. Her mom replied, “I feel thonky.” 

Alder asked, what does 'thonky' mean?

Her mom pointed to her head and said, “Not right.”

Alder could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Her mom's brain was not right, and she knew it.

Alder comforted her saying, “I understand thonky. Sometimes you just don’t feel right, and it’s hard to describe. Any time you don’t feel right, you tell me you feel thonky, I'll understand.”

The word ‘thonky’ became part of the family’s vocabulary. It means that things aren't right, and it's too hard to explain why. Alzheimer’s is like that, it’s a thonky disease.

Conclusion:
When we started the Mackenzie Meets Alzheimer’s Awareness Program, Alder wanted to incorporate both 'Agape' and 'thonky' into the story song and picture book. Sometimes the only way we can express how we feel is to make up a word like ‘thonky’ and the only help for that feeling is ‘agape.’

If you want more information, tips, and activities to help your family cope with Alzheimer’s, that thonky disease, click here.