Reflections of a Daughter of the Silent Generation and Mother of Generation Y
That Father’s Day, sixteen years since Dad died, I heard him heckle when I missed foul shots, laugh when I threw elbows, and cheer when I backed someone down. When I worried about missed opportunities, I recalled his “don’t worry about what’s over and done.” And, when I noticed the 85+-year-old men playing on a neighboring court, I imagined Dad and his killer hook shot in their midst. Too bad I didn’t get that gene!
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
When I discovered our eleven-year-old bunny rabbit sprawled out in her cage, I was hit with disbelief. Even when death is expected, peaceful, and quick, it can be hard to accept. I’m grateful for my spouse and neighbor Mandy who helped me through.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
In support of a member facing a cancer diagnosis, her team had handed out bracelets with the words No One FIGHTS Alone! Running errands and thinking of this fierce, kind and resilient athlete, I pulled into Dunkin Donuts for an afternoon pick-up. When the guy in front of me bought my cup of coffee, it was the high five I needed, reminding me to reach out to others too.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
I don’t believe Mom saw Alzheimer’s coming; I do believe, though, that it would have eased her mind to know that she continued to make new friends, bringing joy, humor and grace, and inspiring the rest of us to do the same.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
In a world with atrocity, apathy, anxiety, distraction and just plain busy-ness, I was touched by all the simple kindnesses that helped me as I helped Mom. Thanks to those simple, and often unexpected, kindnesses, the pieces of our life in Maine were starting to fall into place.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
I met Hannah when I coached her on a fast-pitch softball team. I never anticipated that it would be Hannah, ten years later, who’d help us care for Mom. No surprise, Hannah was a great teammate!
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Finding me awake and in tears, the nighttime nurse replied, “Your mom is 85. She has a complicated health history, with Alzheimer’s, diverticulitis, kidney disease, infection, limited activity level and dehydration. This clot is so big, it didn’t just happen in travel; this condition’s been developing for a while. This is not on you.” Thanks to her, I went from feeling alone to feeling the love.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Thanks to Mom, I’d learned to smile, even when it isn’t easy. Thanks to Mom, I was still smiling now.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Of all the things I could give Mom for her birthday, the very best would be the promise to always try to work things out with my bros. Mom cherished each one of us, in different ways, and having us all in her life, in the ways that we could be, not only made my role as primary caregiver doable, it also helped to make her life, at 85 and with dementia, complete.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
My sisters (in-law) may not have been part of my start, still, I was grateful they were part of my present. Although we were from different gardens, I loved our awesome bouquet!
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
