Roses in December

Since its debut in 1987, Crankshaft has engendered reader loyalty and affection with its wry wit, engaging storylines, and identifiable characters. Created by Tom Batiuk and drawn by Chuck Ayers, the strip offers plenty of humour but also tackles serious issues like adult literacy, school violence, and the challenges of aging. Roses in December is a touching collection of two Crankshaft storylines of characters who find themselves dealing with the incurable condition of Alzheimers disease. First, Ed Crankshafts best friend Ralph is confronted with the trauma of his wife Helens worsening Alzheimers. He never knows if the love of his life will recognize him on those days that he visits her at Sunny Days Nursing Home. Ralph and Helens love story unfolds with humour and heartbreak. In the second story arc, Crankshafts neighbour Lucy McKenzie also exhibits symptoms of Alzheimers and eventually is moved to Sunny Days Nursing Home by her sister Lillian. The fourteen year struggles of Lucy, Helen, and their loved ones are elegantly told, preserving their dignity and reminding us that sometimes a sense of humour can be our greatest possession during lifes trials. Through the deceptively simple medium of the daily comic strip, Tom Batiuk and Chuck Ayers address the profound effects of Alzheimers disease in a thoughtful and occasionally humorous way. Roses in December includes a resource guide for caregivers, patients, and practitioners.