I spent a lot of time during my mom’s illness just wishing things could go back to the way they were. I mainly focused on what I had lost and I just wanted my mom to go back to the way she was before she got sick. At some point, it hit me. “Oh wait, … Continue reading Stop Wasting Precious Time Wishing You Could Go Back to the Way Things Were
Tag: gratitude
What If Every Day Held the Magic of Christmas Eve?
Do you ever notice how your Christmas tree looks a little different after Christmas Day? Do you ever notice how the Christmas lights look a little dimmer once the holidays have passed? Almost like they’ve lost their magic now that all the excitement is over. Do you ever notice how the new calendar year never … Continue reading What If Every Day Held the Magic of Christmas Eve?
This Year Has Been Hard, But I’m Grateful For What It’s Given Me
2020 has been one of the worst years of my life, but it has also been one of the best years. My mom died this year and I have spent the last nine months grieving during a global pandemic, which has been pretty awful. Because of said pandemic, we were unable to have a real … Continue reading This Year Has Been Hard, But I’m Grateful For What It’s Given Me
We Can Feel Everything All At Once
One thing I have learned from my mom’s journey with Alzheimer’s is that we have the ability to feel two conflicting emotions at the same time. We can feel both happy and sad. We can feel both excitement and dread. We can feel both joy and pain. We can feel both gratitude and grief. And … Continue reading We Can Feel Everything All At Once
My Mom’s World Got Bigger When She Died
After my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, her world became increasingly smaller. It started with losing her ability to drive. She could no longer go out anywhere unless someone else was able to take her. Since my dad was still working full-time, she would have to wait until he got home from work or had … Continue reading My Mom’s World Got Bigger When She Died
Sometimes You Have To Paint a Different Picture
After my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I spent a lot of time feeling sorry for myself. All I thought about was what I had lost and what I would never have. All the things my mom and I would no longer be able to do and all the things we would never get the … Continue reading Sometimes You Have To Paint a Different Picture
Finding Gratitude On Your Alzheimer’s Journey
What if you woke up tomorrow morning and decided today would be different? What if you told yourself to focus only on the good things that happen? You will see and acknowledge all of the bad stuff (we all know there’s a lot), but you won’t let it drag you down. Instead, you will keep … Continue reading Finding Gratitude On Your Alzheimer’s Journey
Alzheimer’s Took So Much From Us, But I Am Grateful For What It Gave Us
Before my mom had Alzheimer’s, I never had to help her get dressed. I never had to help her use the bathroom. I never had to cut up her food for her so she could eat it. I never had to hold her hand when walking through a crowded room or down the street. I … Continue reading Alzheimer’s Took So Much From Us, But I Am Grateful For What It Gave Us
This Journey Requires A Delicate Balance of Grief and Gratitude
You are losing your loved one right before your eyes and each day is a constant battle between grieving that loss and trying to cherish the time you have left with your loved one. I get it. I’ve been there. When people ask me how I dealt with the pain of slowly losing my mom, … Continue reading This Journey Requires A Delicate Balance of Grief and Gratitude
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.
