Photo: Mike Hunter (the day they brought her home from the shelter) The dementia journey is fraught with loss. At every turn, your loved one is fading away which causes its own sort of slow dying process in your heart as a caregiver. Your emotional state is tied to their wellbeing; each step of their … Continue reading Sharing Loss
Family
Gallivanting
A special guest blog by my sister, Melinda Jenkins. For several years, my family and I have watched dementia take little chunks of my mom’s memory away, slowly, piece by piece. After my parents moved off the mountain in Highlands to Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville, the disease seemed to escalate in the most difficult … Continue reading Gallivanting
Downsizing…Again
If you have elderly parents you likely know what it means to downsize. I think of it like the college stage with my kids where they moved every year or so, only each time my parents move they get rid of more and more family heirlooms. And each time it gets harder to part with … Continue reading Downsizing…Again
The Memory Table
I think memory tables at weddings are a beautiful tradition. It is a lovely sentiment to display photos and mementos of family members who had an impact on the bride and groom. These ancestors’ faces smile in approval from frames on tablecloths. The candles lit in their memory, or flowers set beside their photos make … Continue reading The Memory Table
A Baby and A Wedding
I gave birth to a tiny baby girl. Hannah Elizabeth. My first. She was wide-eyed as she came into the world. She looked up into my eyes and held my gaze. No crying. Just a stare that felt as if she’d known me my whole life. She looked into me and I into her. We … Continue reading A Baby and A Wedding
Surprised by Grief
Sometimes tears pop out of my eyes for no reason. At least, I don’t usually know why at the moment it happens. It is unexpected, and it hits in the most unlikely of places. I am familiar with how much my senses can trigger my tears. I remember when Hannah was traveling the world for … Continue reading Surprised by Grief
Sweet Dreams
In my dreams, Mom is either talking and sharing wisdom or lost and unreachable. There is no in between. As a life-long dreamer I have become a student of my dreams. Some, I write off to whatever I had for dinner the night before. Others contain insights and perspectives I have never considered before. Some … Continue reading Sweet Dreams
Guest Blog
Today I am sharing a guest blog written by my sister Melinda Jenkins. Our dementia journey with Mom is a difficult one for all of us. These words are Melinda's perspective as we continue to walk through the seasons of this dreaded disease with grace that only God can give. Leaving the Winter Season and … Continue reading Guest Blog
Sitting With Grief
I am finding it is hard to sit with ongoing grief. It is different than a “regular” loss, if there is such a thing. This dementia journey comes with more ups and downs but with a steady downward trajectory. I find myself trying to dissect my feelings. I am happy I still have my mom. … Continue reading Sitting With Grief
A Moment with Mom
I have become a celebrity at the place Mom and Dad live. He gave my book to some friends who were facing heartbreaking circumstances, similar to his. Those people then ordered some to give away, too. The result is that I get stopped by people in the halls and in the bistro almost every week, … Continue reading A Moment with Mom
Michelle's Mosaic 