Three years ago today, I was having coffee for the first time in our new house, when my dad called to tell me that my mom had died. It seemed so unexpected, but in reality, it was not. On that day and the days that immediately followed, the grief was fresh and raw. I tried … Continue reading My Thoughts on Grief Three Years After My Mom Died
Author: Lauren Dykovitz
Lauren Dykovitz lives in New Jersey with her husband and two black labs, Oakley and Lucy. Lauren is a writer, author, and mentor for Alzheimer's daughters. Aside from writing her own blog, Lauren has been a contributing writer to several other websites and blogs. Lauren has also self-published two books, "Learning to Weather the Storm: A Story of Life, Love, and Alzheimer's" and "When Only Love Remains: Surviving My Mom's Battle with Early Onset Alzheimer's." Both books are available on Amazon.
Do You Ever Just Get Sick of Your Own Shit?
Do you ever just get sick of your own shit? Like there’s something you want to do or something you know you should be doing, but you just keep coming up with excuses not to do it? And then one day you realize it’s been six months and you still haven’t done that thing you … Continue reading Do You Ever Just Get Sick of Your Own Shit?
Focusing on the Good Is a Choice
Whenever I share something about being positive or changing your perspective, I always get a little push back. “Easier said than done.” “Easy to say when you’re not going through it.” “It’s easy to be positive when you’re looking back. It’s hard to do when you’re in the thick of it.” Now that I’m on … Continue reading Focusing on the Good Is a Choice
We Never Know How Many Birthdays We’ll Get to Have
Today would have been my mom’s 75th birthday. Instead, it’s the third one without her here. Sometimes I forget that my mom died so young. I hesitate to even call 72 young because I know so many people have died so much younger than that, but I also know so many people who have lived … Continue reading We Never Know How Many Birthdays We’ll Get to Have
Stop Putting So Much Pressure on Yourself to Make This Holiday Season Something Big
So many of us put so much pressure on ourselves to have this perfectly magical holiday season just because we feel like we’re supposed to have a perfectly magical holiday season. We run around trying to do everything we possibly can to make it “good enough” and we try to make everyone else happy while … Continue reading Stop Putting So Much Pressure on Yourself to Make This Holiday Season Something Big
You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be a Good Caregiver
Do you know how many mistakes I made as one of my mom’s caregivers? Too many to count. I snapped at her. Got impatient with her. Got frustrated when she couldn’t do something I thought she should be able to do. I tested her memory. Showed her pictures of people and asked her to tell … Continue reading You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be a Good Caregiver
Grief Never Goes Away, But You Can Feel Two Things At Once
I was my dad’s plus one for his best friend’s daughter’s wedding on Saturday night. When my dad got the invitation in the mail, I knew how much he wanted to go, but I also knew that he would never go by himself. When I saw that he was allowed to bring a guest, I … Continue reading Grief Never Goes Away, But You Can Feel Two Things At Once
Are You Finding Joy in Your Alzheimer’s or Dementia Journey?
Are you finding joy in your day-to-day life? Are you actively seeking it out? When my mom was living with Alzheimer’s, I rolled my eyes at the mere mention of finding joy in the journey. I didn’t think it was possible and honestly, it was just easier for me to be sad and miserable all … Continue reading Are You Finding Joy in Your Alzheimer’s or Dementia Journey?
Your Relationship with Your Caregiver Parent Can Get Better
If your relationship with your caregiver parent is suffering, I have some hope for you. For a long time during my mom’s battle with Alzheimer’s, I felt like I was losing my dad to the disease, too. Although he didn’t have Alzheimer’s or dementia himself, my mom’s illness and her care were consuming my dad’s … Continue reading Your Relationship with Your Caregiver Parent Can Get Better
What If This Is the Last Time?
What if this is the last time? What if this is the last time your loved one tells you the same story for the hundredth time? What if this is the last time your loved one calls you on the phone at an inconvenient time or any time at all? What if this is the … Continue reading What If This Is the Last Time?