Within four years of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, my dad could no longer drive, cook, or take his medications. When the dementia demons took over, he couldn’t stay in his home, either.
He spent ten unforgettable days with my family prior to moving into assisted living, and then eventually a nursing home. Over the course of 9 months, we shared more than 200 meals, during which time I got to know him—and myself—better than at any point in our lives. Ten Days with Dad is a story about family, progress, personal growth, and healing, born out of a terrible disease and a once-in-a-century global pandemic.
- Is dealing with a personal tragedy or caring for a loved one crushing your physical, emotional, and mental mindset?
- Do you let past regrets, grudges, excuses, and self-imposed limitations prevent you from achieving your goals, forging meaningful relationships, or finding inner peace?
- What obstacles, perceived or otherwise, are preventing you from becoming the best version of yourself?
- Are you looking for practical and effective routines to build better habits, improve your mindset, and transform your priorities?
- How can you find purpose, passion, and personal fulfillment in your life right now?
Allow my story to be your inspiration to pursue your passion and find purpose and personal fulfillment in your life.
MARK RESNICK’s debut book is an exploration of grief, memory, and identity during the darkest days of his dad’s Alzheimer’s and COVID-19. His personal and heartfelt narrative will make you smile, laugh, and cry—and will motivate you to begin your own personal transformation. He invites you to visit and connect with him at www.markjresnick.com.
Book Endorsements
Book Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Non Fiction book i have read in quite some time
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2022
This book had me hooked from the Foreward already. The backstories, and seamless flipping from Marks past to the current time dealing with his Dads Alzheimers are mesmerizing, thought provoking and sent me through waves of emotions from laughter to tearing up sometimes on the same page. This book hit home for me, and I am sure will for many, as the struggles with aging and declining of our parents is real and a fact of life. His detailed descriptions of he and the family dealing with it and how it helped transform his passions, purpose and finding peace with the 10 commandments of life were inspiring to say the least. This is literally a must read, whether you have had to deal with this or are currently dealing with this. I can tell you that many of you will need to deal with this or something similar as loved one’s age and this was a story well told, with life lessons you can consider almost a playbook for handling it and using it to live out our passions, purpose and dreams. Best nonfiction book i have read in many a year. I will likely refer to parts of this forever and it will have a permanent handy location in my library. Well written Mark! Glad you kept the passion to get this story out!
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Storyteller
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2022
I feel like I have known Mark, the author, all my life … his story is THAT heartfelt and compelling; I was drawn right in from the Foreward to the Epilogue.
Although we have not faced Alzheimer’s in our family (thank God!), I read this book while dealing with the declining health of my 91 yo mom-in-law, including hospitalizations. Tears and fears have been a big part of my life lately; Mark’s book has helped me put things in perspective. I especially appreciate his “Daily Vitamins!” Crammed full of helpful Life Hacks (all kinds of “Commandments” for different aspects of one’s circumstances), this book is a must-read for ANYONE who has loved ones.
5.0 out of 5 stars Sucked me right in
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2022
The author’s writing style made me feel like I was sitting with a friend, being told his story and that of his family. Sure, I was home, curled up with my dog and a glass of wine while I read it, but I might as well have been in his living room, or at a coffee shop hearing directly from him. Many, maybe most, of us either have or will have witnessed someone we love struggle with Alzheimers in our lifetime. This book–Mark’s story–is a reminder that while each of our journeys may be different, we have shared experiences. Even better, this book makes you feel like you share those experiences with a friend.
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Riveting and Educational
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2022
Mark Resnick drew me into his story from the very first paragraph. If you want to read about love and be inspired then this book is for you. Mark is a masterful story teller who draws the reader into the story with not only words, but with emotions as well. In addition to being heartwarming, Ten Days With Dad provides some great lessons for all of us regardless of the challenges we face. You don’t have to have a loved one with Alzheimer’s to appreciate and get a tremendous amount out of this book. I have an aging mother who is beginning to lose her physical and mental acuity. Mark taught me a great deal about how to handle this situation. Don’t miss out on reading this book!
5.0 out of 5 stars Dark days can change us for the better. All of us. Thank you for this, Mark!
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2022
It is hard to find someone who can put into words what we truly experience as adults when we, in turn, become parents to our parents. This book goes far beyond this, inspiring and encouraging us beyond enduring pain and disappointment to moving to a place of forgiveness of ourselves, our parents and life circumstances. As a daughter who has lived through my mother’s 7 year battle with Parkinson’s and Louis Body Dementia, this book puts into words the emotions and process that I could not only relate to, but needed for my own closure. Reading this book, I felt the connection to the seasons of life that we endure as children growing through adulthood and how we can come out better for them. Practical in so many ways, this all needed to be said. Thank you for writing this for all of us, Mark. Life can be better and this book takes us to that place.
5.0 out of 5 stars I don’t read memoirs
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2022
If you are like me and avoid reading memoirs, I am writing this review to tell you that you should break your rules and give this one a go. I am a slow reader: dreadfully slow. But, I read this book in 2 sittings (it would have been one, but I wanted to spend some time thinking, after the first half). It is hard to describe the depth of honesty in this book about a boy-turned teen-turned man who had a flawed but mensch dad (and built-in ice hockey coach), a dad who unravels into dementia while the rest of us struggled with what is hopefully the only plague we will ever experience. I usually prefer a rich novel, not a biography, but this one grabbed me– I am still mulling over The Commandments (think hockey and life, not stone tablets). There is no preaching or self-aggrandizement or quick fix panaceas in the book. But there are a few hundred pages of an entertaining and interesting life (lives, really) from which the author gave me vistas into my own. Read it- you will be glad you did.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022
This book came into my life just when I needed it. I read it while caring for my mother who was on hospice. Mark’s courage and love gave him the strength to provide the best possible care for his father in extremely difficult circumstances. His story of resilience and perseverance inspired me. I loved reading about his fascinating childhood and relationships. Although there were very sad and challenging times in his life, Mark’s optimism prevailed. Mark makes his experience relatable because his writing is so honest and personal. This book is never preachy or condescending but actually offers practical ideas for dealing with the stress of end-of-life care and uncertainty. Whether you are caring for an aging parent or just trying to navigate the ups and downs of life, “Ten Days with Dad” can encourage and guide you. It’s also a compelling story and entertaining read.
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt and inspiring; a MUST READ
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2022
I read this 300+ page book in three days (very unusual for me); it’s hard to put down once you start. Mark’s open and honest personal reflection on his life journey with his dad (and himself) is truly moving. While the story centers around his relationship with his dad, you walk away with many invaluable life lessons. Throughout the book you can’t help but reflect on your life, both challenges and accomplishments, and it inspires you to begin (or to continue) work on your own self-development. It also brings to the forefront the challenges of caregiving and the toll/impact it can have on you and your loved ones, but Mark does a beautiful job using the experience to find so much meaning and deeper connections with his family during this difficult time. Highly recommend this book, you will enjoy it.
