Four years ago, Melinda and I got sister tattoos as part of our caregiver journey. I wrote about it here. Back then, we marked our hard journey; etched it on our bodies as a way to memorialize the love between Mom and Dad. Dementia was taking its toll and Dad was a weary knight in … Continue reading Sister Tattoos (Part 2)
dementia
Welcome Newcomers
I was at a book festival this past weekend. I met some authors from around the Southeast, as well as some lovely readers. I wanted to take today to welcome these newcomers to Michelle’s Mosaic. You will find I write about many topics as I process life. Feel free to browse around all the categories. … Continue reading Welcome Newcomers
Surrender
I had never seen Dad afraid of anything…until Mom got sick. I saw him set his chin with trembling lips. I saw him stand and smile with tearful eyes. I saw him shore himself up with heavy shoulders. Watching him anticipate each new loss was like watching him lose part of himself. Every time Mom … Continue reading Surrender
Welcome
I am so glad you are here! Since you are new to Michelle’s Mosaic, I will introduce myself. I am a retired teacher and a lifetime educator. I am a mother of 4 grown children and a grandmother to 1 grandson. I am a wife of 38 years. I am a woman of faith. I … Continue reading Welcome
Caught by Surprise
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
Closure
The word closure is often used to describe a feeling of peace at the end of something, usually a relationship of some sort. It implies acceptance and release of the person you love. It comes from the Latin for the word shut. Like shutting a door. After Mom’s service, I should have closure of her … Continue reading Closure
Memories
Funny how memories work when you are grieving. They come unbidden and they are bittersweet. Mostly sweet. Mostly, I smile…sometimes with tears…grateful tears that Mom is whole again. Birthdays, Christmases, family trips, times with the grandkids, even childhood memories from when I was a little girl, all come forward as I flip through pictures. I … Continue reading Memories
Love
I’m on my porch this morning. It is cool and the birds seem grateful for that fact. The sun is playing with the trees and the result is a light show sprinkling the rays all around me like a disco ball. My fingers take the cue and dance across the keyboard. Today they are writing … Continue reading Love
Surprised by Joy
The last few days I have been resting, processing, planning, and resting some more. The cumulative physical exhaustion of the past few years seems to have caught up to me. Yet, it is different than the heavy sleep/sleepless roller coaster of those years. During the dementia journey, it has felt like trying to sleep with … Continue reading Surprised by Joy
The Last Week
You know that even though I haven’t been posting, I have still been writing. After all, this blog is an e-journal of sorts. My diary, so others will know they are not alone in their feelings. This is what I have written in the last week of Mom’s life. It’s long. If you just want … Continue reading The Last Week
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