My mother in law is in the early stages of dementia. She is one of the most remarkable people I have ever known and has been more like a mom to me than my own mom. It is really difficult to watch her slowly slip away, living in a world in her mind that none of us really understand. She was the strong one in the family, the glue,the preacher's wife, the grandmother. She was the one that never forgot a birthday card, or a special day, or a grand child's achievement. She made every one of us Christmas stockings, remembering something special that each one of us liked. And every Easter, we all got little Easter baskets that she made for us. She has taught me how to be a better mother, I first learned to cook from her, I learned how to understand her son that I married, and hopefully, one day I will be a grandmother just like the grandmother she has been to my child.
We spent the day with Gerry's family today. As we were looking at old family slides, although she joined in the laughter and the fun, I know there were times she was looking at photos of her mother and her children and wondering who they were. This growing older business is not for the faint of heart.
May all of you share some joy this Easter holiday with those you love,
Peace ya'll
8 comments:
It sure is painful to deal with aging parents. It's very hard to make the switch to taking caring of them when they were always the ones we looked to for advice.
Wishing you a happy Easter.
You absolutely right that growing older is hard. My poor 81 year old Dad is struggling with treatment for lung cancer (the prognosis in the beginning was good but the treatment itself is so debilitating we are wondering...) and it hurts my heart to talk with Mom and hear weariness.
I know Michele,I thought about you yesterday with your mom, I am so sorry for her, I read your blog post
Xo
Anna, I watched my dad deal with lung cancer 20 years ago, it was worse for him than for my mom, but she lost so much weight and suffered with really bad depression, cancer just sucks!
We have been through the aging process and eventual loss of both my parents and Tina's Dad and step mom.It is so difficult when we encounter things that we can't change and feel so helpless. Good luck to all of you. Happy Easter.
Everyone has said it all so well, but just to send you my best wishes for your family. I also have been through things with my parents and a beloved aunt - very,very tough row to hoe. That helpless feeling for sure. And a scary look into your own future, perhaps.
Happy Easter to you and yours -
Mary
Hi Dennis and Mary, yes I know, I have been here too many times with my family, it is never easy, but a process of life, inevitable....
Thanks for your emails
Xo
This is the saddest part of watching loved ones age. My heart is with you.
Thanks a bunch! It's sad to watch her children, they want their mom back. My heart is with them....
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