Punishing Yourself for Your Loved One’s Suffering Won’t Do Anyone Any Good

I felt so guilty living my life while my mom was suffering from Alzheimer’s and my dad was overwhelmed with her care that I just simply stopped living my life. I still feel guilty that I didn’t have to take care of her from the minute I woke up until the minute I went to … Continue reading Punishing Yourself for Your Loved One’s Suffering Won’t Do Anyone Any Good →

It Feels Good to Be Excited For a Vacation Again

My husband and I are getting ready to go on a vacation for our ten-year wedding anniversary. As we’ve been preparing things and planning what to do on our trip, I noticed that something feels different this time. I wasn’t quite sure what it was at first, but I was finally able to put my … Continue reading It Feels Good to Be Excited For a Vacation Again →

Don’t Give Up On Your Own Life

I did not allow myself to enjoy my own life when my mom was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. I did not allow myself to enjoy spending time with my husband and friends. I did not allow myself to enjoy going away on a vacation. I did not allow myself to have fun in any sense … Continue reading Don’t Give Up On Your Own Life →

Let Go of the Guilt—There Is No Such Thing as Enough

Of all the emotions I dealt with during my mom’s battle with Alzheimer’s—anger, resentment, sadness, grief—I have to say that guilt was probably the most prevalent. It was the one thing I felt every single day of her ten-year journey. No matter how much I did. No matter how much I didn’t do. Whether it … Continue reading Let Go of the Guilt—There Is No Such Thing as Enough →

Don’t Let Alzheimer’s Steal All of Your Joy

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to the beach for a few days. It was a much needed mini-vacay to relax and unwind. I was sitting there on the beach one day, reading a mindless, light book, when it hit me. It had been hours since I thought about my mom and … Continue reading Don’t Let Alzheimer’s Steal All of Your Joy →

The Guilt Will Bury You Alive, If You Let It

Guilt. Everyone feels it. Everyone talks about it. Everyone tries their best to avoid it by doing the right thing. But, no one ever tells you that there really is no way around it. Sometimes, no matter how many good things you do, you still find something to feel guilty about. This is especially true … Continue reading The Guilt Will Bury You Alive, If You Let It →

A St. Patrick’s Day Lesson

My mom went all out for St. Patrick’s Day in 2009. She started planning it weeks ahead of time and invited all of us over to have ham and cabbage that night. I remember thinking how random it all seemed. Sure, we were a bunch of Mc’s, but no one had ever made a big … Continue reading A St. Patrick’s Day Lesson →

A Life Outside of Alzheimer’s

My husband and I are currently under contract on a beautiful house here in Florida. For the first time, I am actually excited about living in Florida. Hell, this is the first time in a very long time that I’m actually excited about anything at all. I’m just not a very excitable person. As I’ve … Continue reading A Life Outside of Alzheimer’s →

See Ya Later, Alligator

The hardest part of moving 1,000 miles away from home is leaving my mom and dad. Although I know that my mom is being well cared for, it upsets me that I’m not there. I am no longer one of the people taking care of her. The guilt is unreal. Not only that, but I … Continue reading See Ya Later, Alligator →