Our new book is gaining some traction and we have been invited to speak in different locations. Our first presentation was for a group of Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers. I was a bit nervous, but excited to get this book into the hands of caregivers who need it. I made the drive to Greenville … Continue reading Caught by Surprise
Health
Apalachee
I have sat in a shadowy classroom, cowered in corners, and pasted on a smile, as if a shooter drill is no big deal. I have dried tears and assured scared children that I would not allow a shooter to get past me to get to them. During my career, shooter drills were not my … Continue reading Apalachee
The Other Shoe
I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. It always does. So far, my grieving has been primarily relief, and even joy, that Mom is whole again. Her suffering is over and that makes me glad, not sad. Yet, I know grief comes in stages, and I have been expecting the sadness to show … Continue reading The Other Shoe
John and Gene
John was 5 years old when his dad died. Shot, in a case of mistaken identity that shook the small Ga town of Camilla where he lived. Gene lost his mom to cancer. His dad was so overcome with grief that he took his own life the same day. Phil was a junior in high … Continue reading John and Gene
Teamwork!
There are three of us. We are a team. From the beginning, we rallied ourselves for the long haul that dementia would inviably bring. It has been every bit as difficult as we thought it would be. We are storm weathered, battered, and exhausted, but we still have each other and that makes all the … Continue reading Teamwork!
It’s Here!!!
We interrupt your regularly scheduled summer for breaking news…our author’s preview books have arrived!! We can hold them in our hands! The cover is beautiful and smooth enough to pet! The colors are soothing. The picture is peaceful. It looks just like we had imagined it! The inside is easy to read. Each week is … Continue reading It’s Here!!!
Update on Mom
Back in July, when Mom broke her leg, we didn’t think she would still be here at Christmas. Her pain when moved was evident. Her leg was in an immobilizer, which was big and bulky. We called hospice in to help with pain management. She was slipping away faster than before the fall, and we … Continue reading Update on Mom
Quicksand
Whatever happened to quicksand? Remember Gilligan? Or Batman? Or Tarzan? When I was a kid, it seemed to me that the quicksand was the single greatest threat to life. What a horrible way to go. Just sink and sink until there was nothing left of you…and to try to save yourself only accelerated the process. … Continue reading Quicksand
Emotional Dissonance
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
Non-Bucket List Items
I got a few items checked of my non-bucket list this week. Never heard of a non-bucket list? It is a list is made up of things you hope never to do. Allow me to explain. Unfortunately, I have had many traumatic experiences in my life. Enough to know how my body reacts to stress. … Continue reading Non-Bucket List Items
Michelle's Mosaic 