My Mom My Hero: Alzheimer's - A Mother and Daughter's Bittersweet Journey by Hirsch, R. (book recommendations .TXT) 📕

the sadness that I seemed to carry with me for most of the day. I had felt that my mom was no longer whole and had become half a person. How could this be? Where was my mother’s journey with Alzheimer’s going? What would be happening next? I did not understand, and for the rest of the day, I walked around in a haze, with a lump in my throat and a pain in my heart. Each day when I called, I was frightened, until I was reassured that my mother was doing just fine.

Today, I felt so much joy I wanted to run to a mountain top and spread the words that my mom had just shared with me. She had such a softness and nurturing kindness to her voice. At first we spoke about all the people she could not remember, since most had moved away. Mom said that maybe if she were able to see them, then perhaps she would remember them. “Mom,” I declared, “I hope even though I live so far away that you never will forget me.” She answered with, “How could I ever forget you?” Then she explained that the most important thing is that we are all well. She continued to say that there was nothing more important than being healthy.

I changed the subject and told her that I would be seeing her in five days as I was coming to celebrate Mother’s Day with her. Mom seemed to remember that I had promised to take her for an ice cream sundae. With delight in my voice, and shock that she could remember this, I shouted to her, “Absolutely!” As our phone call was coming to end, Mom then uttered these words: “Do you love me like I love you?” As my heart seemed to break in half, I answered with, “Mom, I love you even more than that.” She then started to sing the words as we said our goodbyes.

With much love in my heart, I wanted to take her last words to me and seal them in a bottle for me to open, whenever I so needed to. I knew that after we hung up, Mom would not remember our conversation, nor would she even remember that I will be seeing her in five days. I know that she has no idea that it will soon be Mother’s Day. Yet I do, and, for me, my mom will always be that special mother, who for years before she became ill I never even knew I had.

I would like to wish all the moms a very special Mother’s Day.

COMMENTS

My mum is also my best friend. She’s at an earlier stage than your mum by the sound of it, but I’m having to do more and more for her, such as making her lunch to make sure she eats, etc. When I was picking out a Mother’s Day card today, it all of sudden hit me that Mother’s Day has become such a hard thing for me. Here I am, a thirty-six-year-old guy standing in the shop welling up, reading cards, thinking about my old mate. It’s just not fair for such a great lady to be dealt this. Thank you for sharing your and your beautiful mum’s journey. I’ll continue to visit this blog even though it’s tough. But we have to be tough, don’t we, for our mums. You both have a great day.

—Anthony

Thank you for sharing this. This was a different kind of Mother’s Day for me too, with Mom so far away with Alzheimer’s. Prayers.

—Loren

Thank you for this amazing story. You and your mom have a beautiful bond and love for each other. God bless.

—Nan

Thank you for sharing your amazing blog! You are a true inspiration!

—Shirley

Thank you for lifting my spirits, love. You are a credit to us all. God bless your wonderful mum. I send you both a hug, and please give your mum a cuddle from me too.

—Paulette

Oh Lisa, you don’t realize that you are a inspiration to us. You definitely touched my heart!

—Walter

Thank you for sharing your amazing blog! You are a true inspiration!

—Beryl

Hi, just wanted to say I read your blog regularly. I looked after my uncle for twelve years. He had macular degeneration and for the last five had Alzheimer’s. Sadly, he died in May, aged eighty-six. We always joked about him getting a telegram from the Queen when he was a hundred years old, a custom we have in Britain when one reaches that age. But the uncle I knew had left years before. Your mum seems such a lovely person, and I wish things could have been different for her and for you. All I can say is treasure every day. I found with my uncle there was always something he did or said that made me smile. Anyway, take care.

—Angela

Your mother, her wise replies, her not recalling your calls or visits, and your gratitude for her and the deep love you share, all remind me of my past journey that ended in 2010. I feel so much love for my beautiful mom and know I missed too much. I was there every day except for a few vacation breaks, but I sure wish I had found a place for us both, so she could have woken up and gone to bed knowing she had me by her side. I do feel guilt over having her in a care-home. In the initial stages she was feisty, fearful, and wouldn’t allow me to give her the help she needed. After she became severely sick (bladder infection caused sepsis) and in ICU, I placed her in a home. Nevertheless, I know I had love, advocacy, and care for her on a daily basis. After she passed, my distant and nonexistent sister (wouldn’t even call) came in to undermine my whole journey. She also hired an attorney,