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Happy Holiday from Alzheimer’s Support 2012

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Happy Holiday and a Wonderful New Year 2012

I’d like to apologize for being so quiet over the previous few months due to my own ill health.

At the same time, I must offer my deep appreciation for all the Guests Posts I’ve received to keep our news up to date and still flowing here at Alzheimer’s Support. Many thanks!

Since my Mom’s passing, I’ve been diagnosed with COPD and am in my own battle with health and illness. In some ways it’s similar to Alzheimer’s. I appear just as I always have and most people have no clue that I’m “sick” at all.

But living with COPD can have many obstacles. I hope to add more posts about COPD and my own health later in the New Year. I’m doing really well right now due to a wonderful Pulmonary Rehab Program and my own personal caregiver hubby

Now, I have the opportunity to see “caregiver” from a different angle. As Mom’s caregiver, the job was easy. She was always appreciative and as helpful as she could be for as long as she had any control over her own behavior. I hope to remain as kind and easy to work with as my mother was. I must admit, on occasion, I can be an ornery patient.

It seems hard to believe that mom has been gone 4 years. And now more than ever, I miss and respect her for the love and kindness she showed me and my brothers for all of her life. I think of her every day and the holidays bring her memory alive even more.

And remember… some family traditions no longer work when illness visits the family. In that case, create a brand new family tradition that works for your family!

I hope everyone has a super Holiday Season with lots of love from good friends and family.
Take Care and we’ll see you all next year!
Sandy

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Daily Comforts for CaregiversCheck PriceA Year of Grace: 365 Reflections for CaregiversCheck PriceCreating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s or Dementia: A Journal for Caregivers, Fourth EditionCheck Price

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Another Mother’s Day without Mom

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Happy Mother's DayAnother Mother’s Day

Without Mom

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[“Another Mother’s Day” was written several years ago, but I can’t say it any better today. I still miss my Mom, and  especially so on Mother’s Day. I thought you might enjoy this one again. Thank you to all our readers and Happy Mother’s Day to every Mom… Sandy]

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My mom’s battle with Alzheimer’s ended in 2007, she passed away shortly after Mother’s Day that year and a month shy of her 82nd birthday. So every year since then, from May to July–I think about my Mom… and sometimes wish I had been more like her.

My Mom was 5’2,” a petite blonde whose pale complexion glowed with happiness. Her personality was bubbly, a true “people person” with many friends.

Standing in barefeet, I’m 5′ 11″ with my dad’s olive complexion and dark brown hair. An exotic brooding brunette–I’m NOT!

Though I did inherit Mom’s amicable nature and I love sharing time with family and good friends. Yet, I’m more like my father than my mom.

  • Mom was a “clothes horse.” She loved sleek dresses in shiny silk and fine dinners in fancy restaurants– I love an overstuffed sofa with a good movie while dressed in baggy sweat pants and loose t-shirt.
  • Mom wore petite, pink florals and swingy, circle skirts; pale lip gloss accenting a flawless Ivory complexion — I love Bold Tropical prints with a touch of dark Salmon.
  • Mom traveled throughout her retirement years, seeing every corner of the US.– I love books, curled in a cozy corner, learning about “pretend” people and places that expand who I am.

Most often– I’m quite certain Mom failed at refining me.

  • Mom’s house was always immaculate with everything in it’s place, and I did learn tidiness directly from her.

But when she came to my house, I’m not sure she approved of the fat, squashy bean bags at altered angles on the floor in front of the T.V., or the miles of cable and cords tumbling down the side of the entertainment center, necessary for netflix, wii, xbox, dvr, and other necessities that I’ve forgotten.

  • Mom always lifted an eyebrow upon entering that room, though she never spoke of it.

Above all–she was polite, She Loved Me and I was allowed to be whom I chose–even if the two of us eventually became more different than alike, she put her wishes aside and allowed me to become who I wanted to be….

Actually, I was blind to how much I was like my mother until I became her full-time caregiver.

It wasn’t until she saw me as  the “nice lady” who cooked her meals, turned down her bed, helped with her shower, buttoned her shirt, tied her shoes and applied lotion to her hands that I finally realized how much I was like my mother.

She gave me strength, wisdom, empathy, compassion, determination, stamina, the list is endless— all these things came from MY MOTHER—

Happy Mother’s Day!

 I hope you have a Blessing Journal for all he ways you love your Mom!

&

I’d love to hear a favorite story about Your Mom!

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