Anniversary Of My Mother's Death Approaches

February will bring the first anniversary of my Mother's death from Alzheimer's disease. We miss her very much! My first Christmas without her was so hard... I didn't expect that. Even with all my kids home, there was such a hole without my mom.
Throughout this past year I have tried to establish new traditions for holidays that remind me of her, or honor traditions that were important to her for that holiday. For example, my mother always served some kind of cabbage dish on New Year's Day to bring good luck in the coming year. This year, I made delicious egg rolls filled with ground chicken and Napa cabbage! It reminded me of her, even though she usually made cabbage rolls or red cabbage with apples.
I think it's important for loved ones to continue remembering in positive ways the person they have lost. I have many special traditions to look forward to this year, like taking an Easter lily to someone in a nursing home on Easter, sending flowers anonymously to a 'forgotten' or single mom on Mother's Day, buying food for the homeless on Thanksgiving, etc.
Thanks Mother, for making my life richer and more meaningful not only when you were alive but now and in the future. I love you.

November Is Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Each November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month. Having a special month to focus on such an important topic makes it easier to remind others that there are so many sufferers in America alone. And not just the patients, but also the families who care for their loved ones and watch them losing those precious memories right before their eyes. I hope you will take time to remember those who can't this November. Maybe you could add a sticker to your car, or wear a t-shirt on dress down day at work. Better yet, go to a local nursing home and ask at the desk if there is anyone who would enjoy a visit.



Stop Alzheimer's Disease Hoodie
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memoryshoppe

7 Month Mark

We lost my mom seven months ago today. Wow, that seems impossible in some ways. And I feel the loss more acutely now than I did when she first passed on. SO many things remind me of her. And seeing photos or videos with her in them are especially hard. We all agree has passed on to a much better place but we miss her in our lives here. Alzheimer's is tough and it took her away from us long before death did. Here's a t-shirt I made in commemoration of how I feel about losing my mom:
I Miss My Mom - We Lost Her To Alzheimer's t-shirt

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memoryshoppe

Five months and more

Wow, it's been over five months now since we lost my mother. In that time, we also lost my father in law. Our children have had a hard time dealing with losing two grandparents so close together, but are recovering well. I am grateful they had the chance to become close to my mom during the years she lived with us.
Perspective is developing for me, too, as I look back on our last few months with Mother. I'm realizing that caregiver burnout had set in for me and that the amount of time I spent/didn't spend at the nursing home each day was okay. I know Mother understands. And I do too.

Two Months Today

It's been two months today since my mom died of Alzheimer's Disease. The time has gone fast...
Last week a grief counselor from the funeral home called to see how our family was coping. It was nice to be able to say that we are doing just fine now. With each passing week, my feelings have changed. Recently we attended the 80th birthday party for my aunt. I took photos from my mom's burial service as they had not been able to attend. I was surprised that I could share them with good memories attached of that day and the service. I'm so glad now that Mother has gone on to a better place. Her last year was difficult for everyone, most of all her. We love you, Mom!

A Month Has Passed

A month has passed, and a little more, since we lost my mom to Alzheimer's Disease. I wondered how I would feel at this point. It all seemed so simple right when she passed. Her suffering was over, our family had our own life back as far as the amount of time we were spending in her care. But I'm finding that I miss her more now than I did when she first passed on.
The day before Easter, I realized that a tradition my own family had was for my father to buy Mother an Easter lily every year. After their divorce, I was the one to buy her a lily each Easter. It was hard to know I couldn't do that this year. Or could I? My dear husband went out Saturday evening and bought a beautiful potted Easter lily full of blooms for me to take to someone. I told him that I really wanted to do that, and he said fine. On Sunday morning we stopped by to visit a family friend who lives in a nursing home nearby. She was delighted with the flowers and I was thrilled to carry on our tradition in a new way.
Next year I want to give several lilies away in honor of my mother. It is a wonderful tradition that we can continue even though she is not here with us. Mom, I love you, Happy Easter!

Some Sad Days

I didn't think it would happen to me because I am basically pretty settled about my Mom's death, but I am finding that out of the blue, I will suddenly start thinking about here and the tears come. I'm not much of a crier in general, so it is both unexpected and unusual. But I always feel better afterwards.