A wave of sorrow hit me yesterday unexpectedly, but I have come to recognize grief when it knocks on my heart’s door. I’m not sure if I can say grief is my friend, but I am getting acquainted with the daily visits and finding they are a pressure release…if I don’t slam the door. Grieving … Continue reading Unexpected Sorrow
Our Dementia Journey
Walking Them Home
I never rode a bus to school when I was a girl. I walked. It wasn’t 10 miles in the snow, uphill, both ways. No, nothing like that. It was a simple, mostly flat, couple of miles. Mom walked us to the corner every day. Then, most of the kids in our neighborhood, walked on … Continue reading Walking Them Home
Companion Tears
There are several different types of tears. I am a crier, so I should know. There are event tears that spring up at the moment an event happens. It could be a tragic event, like a death in the family, or it could be a happy event, like a new baby being born. These type … Continue reading Companion Tears
Dear Friends and Family
I have been doing dementia research this week; not really, but it seems that way. There have been two excellent dementia awareness events near me that I attended with my family. If you know my dad at all, you know he is a bulldog. It is why he was such a successful business man. He … Continue reading Dear Friends and Family
Hard Things
It has been a week of hard things. The thing we had been dreading came to pass. Moving Ray into memory care was physically exhausting as expected, but I don’t think it was because of the move itself. That part only took the movers two hours because there is very little stuff left. Each move … Continue reading Hard Things
Meltdown
I had a meltdown this week. Allow me to give you some backstory. Five or so years ago, we began caring for Bill’s dad, Ray. In that time, we have moved him 4 times, handled some very complicated legal matters, managed all his doctor and dental appointments (and the dog’s vet appointments), gotten his estate … Continue reading Meltdown
Celebrate Every Moment
I took Mom shopping this week to buy a present for Dad’s birthday, which is today, but first we had our nails done and went to dinner. We enjoy our girls’ nights when Dad goes to his support group for Dementia caregivers. This time Mom picked a different polish than she normally wears. The color … Continue reading Celebrate Every Moment
Father’s Day Tribute
As a bit of a tomboy as a child, I considered myself a Daddy’s girl. Still do. I took every opportunity to traipse through the woods with Dad. Creek walking. Fishing. Wave riding. Canoeing. Trail riding. Wildflower hunting. Jeep riding. Hiking. Camping. Bird watching. Bike riding. Rock hounding. River rafting. Tree climbing. Sliding rock swimming. … Continue reading Father’s Day Tribute
Mom
I don’t know where to start with my Mother’s Day post this year. Sometimes I think about young moms, and all the beautiful exhaustion that goes with that role. Other times I think about those who are not moms, for a myriad of reasons, and I bless them for sitting through all the Mother’s Day … Continue reading Mom
Michelle's Mosaic 