My Mom My Hero – by Lisa Hirsch

As Lisa Hirsch’s mother, Ruthie, began the journey into Alzheimers, Lisa decided to pen thoughts and feelings in a spiral notebook.

Their relationship had often been ambivalent and Lisa thought writing about their issues could bring more comfort than arguing with her mother.

For many years before Alzheimer’s, Lisa had analyzed her Mom (Ruth’s) pithy comments and her own reactions.  Finally, after her mother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Lisa determined to write about her feelings, accept them, and create a better relationship with her mother in the future. Her spiral notebook soon became an online Blog.

http://mommyhero.blogspot.com/

Lisa shares her thoughts and hopes for a better future with her mother, along with ideas and coping mechanisms for those with Alzheimer’s. Her avid reader’s offer their own thoughts through comments on her blog. And finally, this text is brought to you through My Mom My Hero.

As a young child, Lisa had been favored by her  father but felt slighted by her mother as though something was missing. Her older brother had been born with a doting mother and grandmother while their father was off to War.

Having missed the arrival of his newborn son and the joy of a new baby in the house, Lisa’s father dispaired this loss. Then, five years later when Lisa was born, her father was ecstatic to tend and care for this new baby.

Lisa became the apple of her father’s eye. He adored her and became her champion, while her mother seemed to distance herself even more. For most of Lisa’s youth, she yearned for a close relationship with a loving, kind and nurturing mother. But it was not to be.

As an adult with husband and son, Lisa lived 1,000 miles from her Mother. Periodic visits between mother and daughter became little more than bearable. Still, Lisa yearned to change that. She wanted that warm and nurturing mother that she’d always dreamed about.

And then came the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s for her mother, Ruth. Lisa vowed to express love for her mother honestly and openly no matter what. She understood their relationship had been complicated in the past but Lisa wanted it to be different now and if that meant putting forth more effort, she would do it.

She made a committed effort to be there for her Mom! Lisa made certain they spoke on the phone everyday, sharing their lives despite the many miles that separated them. Over time, Lisa began to notice that as she opened up and shared more lovingly with her Mom, Ruthie reciprocated in the same loving manner.

Though separated by distance, they grew closer everyday.  And gradually, the small seeds of love and caring and sharing and kindness bloomed into a brand new relationship.

Although Alzheimer’s is a burden and Ruthie’s personality may shift occasionally, Ruthie and Lisa have become an inseparable mother – daughter duo. Their moments together can be fun with giggles and laughter or tearful with sandness and crying,  yet Lisa never leaves her mother without a feeling of gratitude and joy for their wonderful times together.

This book is a love story. A love story about a woman who opens her heart to her mother despite their rocky history, and finds love and peace. Lisa gives without thought of receiving, but she does receive.

Lisa and Ruthie share a new beginning and  a new closeness despite all the adversities of Alzheimer’s and dementia.  They have learned to make every day beautiful.

Author: Lisa Hirsch is a popular blogger with a worldwide audience. She had a long, successful career in the fashion industry and had numerous articles published in the US, the UK, and Canada . She lives in Manhattan with her husband and has one loving son. Her blog can be found at: www.MommyHero.blogspot.com