There is an emotional dissonance on this dementia journey. The ups and downs of the path itself, but also all the things outside of it. Mom is fading. Last week, she had numerous bad days. This week, she has had numerous better ones. A small plateau of sorts? Maybe. Maybe not. There are no sure … Continue reading Emotional Dissonance
Family
Moments with Mom
In addition to our regular Friday/Sunday visits with Dad to go see Mom, Melinda and I have added some individual visits when possible. Every minute spent with her is precious. On good days or bad ones, it is a sacred space to just be with her. I sit beside her bed and hold her hand … Continue reading Moments with Mom
Letting Go
We are still in limbo over here. Mom is not bouncing back from her broken leg, which we knew was a long shot at best. The original goal was to try to get her back to her wheelchair. That will not be happening. In-between land is filled with heartbreaking decisions of various kinds. There are … Continue reading Letting Go
The Divide
There is a line we are walking on this dementia journey. On one side of the line is our desire to be with mom and her adorable laughter. To sit and to be together. To support her as she has always supported us. The other side is the desire to see her free from her … Continue reading The Divide
The Notebook
Have you seen the movie the Notebook? Spoiler alert, it’s a love story about a couple where the wife has dementia. Her husband goes to see her almost every day and tells her their story, hoping she will remember. I am watching a real-life version of the Notebook. For the past few years, Dad has … Continue reading The Notebook
Combating Summer Boredom
After the last crumb of biscuit was eaten; the last lick of apple jelly was gone; and the last drop of cream and sugar filled coffee was sipped at breakfast; it was time for play. Running to the sideboard cabinet, made by my great grandfather, my sister and I waited for the key. My grandmother, … Continue reading Combating Summer Boredom
A Surprise Adventure
I had a surprise adventure on Sunday. Totally unexpected. It started when a pink envelope with my name on it showed up in the mailbox. I was intrigued. Where did it come from? Why just M. Gunnin and no address? How did it get there on a Sunday without mail delivery? Who put it there? … Continue reading A Surprise Adventure
Will the Whippoorwill
Last weekend, some of our family went on a picnic. We were sitting outside by a river when the story of Will the Whippoorwill came up, as memories sometimes do when families are together. It goes something like this. On top of a mountain, stood a house. In the evening hours the windows stood open … Continue reading Will the Whippoorwill
Childlike
I have always loved kids. From the time I was a girl, I worked with little ones as soon as I was old enough. My first real job was at a daycare center at the age of 15. I worked VBS at church every summer. Pretty much every job or volunteer opportunity I had, revolved … Continue reading Childlike
A Great Love
What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than to repost the story of Mom and Dad's Great Love. I wrote this during the pandemic when we moved Mom to memory care. It has been some years, but the Great Love is still in action even now. I have grown up in the shadow of a … Continue reading A Great Love
Michelle's Mosaic 