For Candice Stonebraker, every conversation with a family begins the same way: with compassion.
As Director of Sales at Cedarhurst of Fort Wayne, she meets families during one of life's most emotional seasons. Adult children often arrive overwhelmed, searching for answers as they help a parent or grandparent navigate Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia.
Over the years, Candice noticed something else. While adults struggled to understand memory loss themselves, they were also trying to explain it to the youngest members of their families.
That realization planted a seed.
"I wanted to create something that was going to be impactful and something that I believe needs to be talked about more," Candice said. "So many times, when I talk with families, they often are overwhelmed and feel like they're alone on this journey of navigating how to care for a loved one that's battling Alzheimer's disease."
That seed eventually blossomed into The Memory Garden, a children's book that gently helps young readers understand memory loss while celebrating a truth that never changes: love remains, even when memories fade.
Candice's story follows a young girl named Stella as she visits her grandmother, wondering if she'll remember who she is that day. When Grandma struggles to remember Stella's name, Stella lovingly reminds her of the joyful moments they've shared together—from cookies and dolls to blooming peonies.
"The story explores the topic of memory loss while celebrating the bonds that never disappear," Candice said.
Although becoming an author was never part of her life plan, the opportunity presented itself after she began researching how self-publishing had become more accessible.
"I never would have thought I would become an author," she said. "When I started doing research on how accessible it is nowadays to be a self-publishing author, I knew I wanted that to be my next project."
Within a month, Candice had written the manuscript, worked with an editor, collaborated with an illustrator to bring the story to life, and published the book through Amazon.
But writing a children's book wasn't simply about checking something off her bucket list. It was about filling a need she had witnessed firsthand.
"Writing a children's book was the direction I wanted to go because this is such a hard topic to discuss and navigate for adults, let alone a child," she said. "I thought a children's book could be the perfect opportunity for the child and their adults to learn how to navigate this situation together."
Watch Candice share The Memory Garden with residents of Cedarhurst of Fort Wayne:
Candice's hope is that children who read The Memory Garden feel comforted rather than confused.
"I hope young readers will feel less alone and empowered after reading this book," Candice said. "Alzheimer's and dementia affect the entire family, so I wanted to create a story that covers this topic in an educational and empowering way."
She also hopes parents, grandparents and caregivers find a valuable resource they can share together.
"My goal is for this story to be a great resource for families trying to explain what's happening to the child's grandparent who is facing memory loss."
One page holds a particularly special meaning for Candice.
When Stella gently tells her grandmother, "Even if you forget, I'll help you remember," it perfectly captures the message she hopes every family takes away.
"At the end of the day, I want to help people," Candice said. "I want to help families feel less alone because the journey of Alzheimer's and dementia is not meant to be gone through alone. People need education, support and resources on this subject, which I hope this book will provide."
Residents, families, coworkers and readers have shared emotional reactions after reading the story, with many saying they wished they had a resource like this when their own loved one was living with dementia.
Several teachers have already added The Memory Garden to their classroom libraries and invited Candice to read the story to students. She's also working with local libraries, bookstores and the Alzheimer's Association to help more families discover the book.
For Candice, those opportunities represent something much bigger than becoming a published author.
They represent another way to continue doing what she loves most: helping families feel supported, understood and never alone.
As she reminds families every day at Cedarhurst, even when memories become harder to hold onto, love has a remarkable way of finding its way home.
This story will appear in the Fall 2026 issue of Flourish Magazine.
Ryan Davis is the Corporate Communications Manager at Cedarhurst Senior Living and the writer behind every story in Flourish® magazine. He holds a Communications degree from Indiana University and brings 19 years of experience to his role, which he began in January 2024. Ryan is passionate about storytelling, especially sharing the meaningful lives of Cedarhurst residents, families, and staff. He hopes each published story becomes a treasured legacy for loved ones.