I’ve been a fan of Bruce Springsteen’s music for as long as I can remember. His “stories” have spoken to me in different ways during different periods of my life. Perhaps, that comes from living and growing up in and around some of the same New Jersey towns that influence his lyrics.

Recently, I’ve heard Springsteen interviewed on radio and late-night TV as he prepares for his 2023 U.S. concert tour. His personal reflections on his music and career have found me playing more Springsteen at home and on my commute to work and discovering new meaning in his “stories” about life. As I think about Alzheimer’s New Jersey® and our work with caregivers this past year, Springsteen’s Land of Hope and Dreams has especially connected with me with a bit of my own interpretation.

Grab Your ticket and your suitcase
Thunder’s rolling down the track
Well, you don’t know where you’re goin’ now
But you know you won’t be back

When we get onboard this train of life, no matter how much we prepare for the journey, we never really know where the train will take us or what we’ll encounter along the way. Sometimes it’s a smooth ride and sometimes there are bumpy tracks and sometimes those bumps become huge detours – some even life changing like a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Well, this train carries saints and sinners
This train carries losers and winners …
This train carries fools and kings …

On our journey, we must learn to be open to all the different people we meet along the way, including the many different and complicated sides of ourselves. We have each probably experienced being a saint, a winner, a king and in other circumstances a fool, a loser and a sinner. We’re not perfect, we’re human and sometimes just need to accept that we’re doing our best, especially when facing unplanned and very difficult circumstances like caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

Well darlin’ if you’re weary
Lay your head upon my chest

Simple human connection is so important in our journey of life. Support from family and friends, from healthcare professionals, from community organizations like Alzheimer’s New Jersey® – that is the strength that gets us through and around life changing detours and roadblocks. Asking for and accepting help is not a sign of weakness– it’s healthy recognition that caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s shouldn’t be done alone.

We’ll take what we can carry
Yeah, and we’ll leave the rest

There are so many things in life that we can’t control. Try to put aside what can no longer be and treasure the present moments with the person with Alzheimer’s who may no longer share the memories of the past.

I said, now this train, dreams will not be thwarted
This train, faith will be rewarded …
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams …

Perhaps the Land of Hope and Dreams is not a place at all – it’s simply being human – it’s our sense of who we are, who we want to be and who we learn we can be when life’s circumstances demand it. It’s our faith in whatever we believe. It’s what gets us through the journey from here to there. It’s recognizing our strengths and weaknesses and not being hesitant to ask for help when we need it or to give help through our generosity when someone else needs it. It’s giving ourselves permission to laugh and cry. It’s connecting as a community. It’s doing the best we can to live with Alzheimer’s in the best way possible.

As we continue on life’s train and begin the 2023 journey, I want to thank our donors and volunteers for their generosity and commitment that continues to make Alzheimer’s New Jersey part of the Land of Hope and Dreams for those who need our support. And for New Jersey families impacted by Alzheimer’s, thank you for your willingness to reach out to us for help and letting us into your lives.

Wishing you and your family the best for 2023. I hope we all find our land of hope and dreams.

Ken Zaentz
President and CEO

(By the way, for those of you that are also Springsteen fans, Land of Hope and Dreams goes back to the 1999 reunion tour with the E Street Band and has appeared on 2001’s Live in New York City, 2003’s Essential Bruce Springsteen and 2012’s Wrecking Ball).

Land of Hope and Dreams by Bruce Springsteen