Teen helps grandma preserve the memories

Their relationship resembles something out of “Driving Miss Daisy,” but MacKenzie Hyde is more than a chauffeur and companion.

Hyde, 18, is determined to help her 78-year-old grandmother, Eleanor Hartsock, hold on to precious memories that are slowly slipping away into the fog of Alzheimer’s disease.

Every Wednesday during fourth period, the Catalina Foothills High School senior picks up her grandmother and takes her to lunch, the grocery store and anywhere else she needs to go.

“Sundays we go to brunch, just to keep things regular,” Hyde said.

To preserve their memories, the two are sharing a journal of what they’ve done each day and anything they want to talk about. “It’s just my little attempt at preserving some of her memories that seem to become less clear as the days go on,” Hyde said.

They’ve been writing in the spiral-bound notebook since last August. Ideas, memories, notes and plans fill about 30 pages so far. A recent journal entry by Grandma Hartsock read: “It’s hard to believe they’ve all grown up,” which was her reflection after a family gathering.

Hyde also helps her grandmother maintain a photo album — a time line of the widow’s World War II-era marriage. More than 50 photos fill the album, which Hartsock keeps close by on her coffee table.

“She got sad looking at the pictures, but it makes her happy, too,” Hyde said.

Spending time with her grandmother is not Hyde’s only accomplishment. Being nominated as a Senior Achiever was quite a shock, she said. “There are more oqualified people out there than me,” she laughed.

But Hyde is an achiever. She is involved with the National Honor Society and the Book Club and is president of a volunteer club called Help Us Give Service (HUGS).

HUGS members build homes for Habitat for Humanity, make holiday stockings for the underprivileged, visit nursing homes and perform other community service.

Hyde also helps out as a school math tutor and was a teacher’s assistant for three years, recording grades and helping organize classroom discussions.

Hyde even spends her free hours productively. “Baby-sitting takes up all my time,” she said.

Hyde’s undecided about what she will do after high school.

“I might major in history,” she said, referring to the college degree program she may choose. But, not surprisingly, the teen says she might pursue “something to do with people,” which would lean toward a degree in education, political science or health care.

Hyde’s positive attitude helped her get accepted into the University of Michigan and honors programs at both the University of Arizona and Arizona State University.

Even after high school, Miss Eleanor will always be her most important commitment, she said. “She’s a great lady who’s always smiling and laughing, and — she’s fun to hang out with.”

Hyde sums up her friendly, giving approach to life: “Take time out your of your day to make people happy. Even if it’s only for a little while, they’ll remember. It’s definitely worth it. It broadens your perspective on things. You appreciate the world more — and them more.”

Another “great lady” in the making, it seems.

Erikka Miller is a senior at Sabino High School.