The Wake-Up Call I Needed About Being Patient With My Mom

Early on in my mom’s Alzheimer’s, I would pick her up at her house and take her out somewhere. We would mostly go out to lunch or shopping, but sometimes we got our hair done or went to the movies. As much as I enjoyed spending time with my mom, I often found myself frustrated … Continue reading The Wake-Up Call I Needed About Being Patient With My Mom →

You Can’t Wait to Live in the After. You Have to Live in the Now.

It has been 4 months today since my mom died. I say this all the time, but it still doesn’t seem real. It feels like it was both yesterday and a lifetime ago. In some ways, it was a lifetime ago. A different life back then, a different me. I still feel so lost. I … Continue reading You Can’t Wait to Live in the After. You Have to Live in the Now. →

Your Decisions As a Caregiver Do Not Cause Your Loved One to Decline. Alzheimer’s Does.

Your decisions as a caregiver do not cause your loved one to decline. The disease causes your loved one to decline. We had a very hard time making certain decisions for my mom’s care. Looking back and reflecting on those decisions has allowed me to see that making those decisions was not the cause of … Continue reading Your Decisions As a Caregiver Do Not Cause Your Loved One to Decline. Alzheimer’s Does. →

It Wasn’t All Bad. We Had Some Good Times, Too.

(The post below was written on July 4, 2020. My mom passed on April 4, 2020.) My mom died three months ago today. I know I say this all the time, but it still doesn’t seem possible. It doesn’t seem real. It feels like it was yesterday, but also like it’s been a million years. … Continue reading It Wasn’t All Bad. We Had Some Good Times, Too. →

We Are Sad and We Miss My Mom, But She Is Better Off

(The post below was written on July 1, 2020. My mom passed on April 4, 2020.) My dad and I went out to one of our favorite restaurants for lunch yesterday. I can’t even count the number of birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Days, Father’s Days, going aways, and welcome homes we’ve celebrated at this restaurant. In … Continue reading We Are Sad and We Miss My Mom, But She Is Better Off →

What My Mom’s Notes Taught Me About Her Love

(The post below was written on June 20, 2020. My mom passed on April 4, 2020.) A while back, I found these notes in the desk at my mom and dad’s house. It looks like my mom wrote them in late 2012, which was just over two years into her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. They are just … Continue reading What My Mom’s Notes Taught Me About Her Love →

Reunited and It Feels So Good!

(The post below was written on June 15, 2020. My mom passed on April 4, 2020.) Due to the pandemic, we haven’t all been together since my mom’s funeral. It has made a difficult time that much more difficult. I’m so thankful we were all able to get together yesterday for a cookout at our … Continue reading Reunited and It Feels So Good! →

It’s Time to Start Living Again

(The post below was written on June 13, 2020. My mom passed on April 4, 2020.) It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 weeks today since my mom passed. I say that every week, but it still doesn’t seem possible. This is the first Saturday since she died that I woke up and didn’t … Continue reading It’s Time to Start Living Again →

I’m Allowing Myself to Feel Joy Again

(The post below was written on May 31, 2020. My mom passed on April 4, 2020.) Yesterday marked 8 weeks since my mom passed. I received the call from my dad at 7:01am that day and so, it has been my tradition to sit and stare at my phone at 7:01am every Saturday to honor … Continue reading I’m Allowing Myself to Feel Joy Again →

I Lost Myself to My Mom’s Alzheimer’s

(The post below was written on May 28, 2020. My mom passed on April 4, 2020.) “I feel like I’m not myself right now. I don’t even know what that is. I feel like I don’t even know who I am anymore.” I said these words to my husband this morning. And I meant them. … Continue reading I Lost Myself to My Mom’s Alzheimer’s →