I am blogging about family memories, caregiving and family members who have been touched by Alzheimer’s or other dementias. And I’m also blogging about joy.
In a four year period, my Dad died from Alzheimer’s, and both my Mom and husband were diagnosed with dementia. My husband’s dementia is considered to be ‘young onset’, as he was diagnosed in his 50’s. The disease has now progressed to what’s considered ‘late stage’ but there is still joy to be found.
Update 2/14: My husband passed away the day after Christmas, two days after his birthday.
I live in the Midwest. My email is quiltofmissingmemories@gmail.com
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Thanks for blogging about your situation. Alzheimers runs in my family, too.
I appreciate your comments. Alzheimer’s is such a challenge for so many of us. Hang in there!
Just found your blog and enjoyed reading. I,too,have a husband with Alzheimers, he is 75 and I am 60. I am still caring for him at home, with some help. It is indeed a difficult journey. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have enjoyed quilting and I think that was what caught my eye….the name of your blog.
Thanks so much for your comment, Janet.
Wishing you much strength in your journey as well!
Hi Jackie, I am in Diane’s writing group and I stopped by to say hello and wish you well with your blog. I was the primary caregiver for both of my parents who have since passed. I know the difficulties that come with that responsibility. I can’t think of a better way to handle it than by sharing it openly in this format. It provides a support system for both you-the writer, and us-the readers. Best of luck.
Hi John-Thanks so much for your supportive note! It is healing to write through some of the more bittersweet memories.
I have been to your blog many times and it’s beautiful. I particularly love your post and photo about a week ago about your father.
I sure wish I lived near Hubbard Hall. If I could, I would be in the front
row next month listening to you, Diane and the others read their great blogs!
You were there, trust me.
That’s so nice, John! Thanks!
I still have to get a hold of one of your business cards, and I’m hoping you start selling those mugs on the blog that Diane wrote about!
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Wow, looking forward to diving into your posts when I get the chance. My grandma has Alzheimer’s and I once wrote a story on it to help me deal with the fact that she had no idea who I was any more! Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best x
Jackie – I have just become a “follower” of your Blog today. Beautiful Thoughts – although Painful I am sure at times. And perhaps difficult to write about at times. My mother who is now passed had dementia and I and my 2 sisters cared for her for her remaining 10 years. We cherish those memories although at times bittersweet. My former Corgi-Dog Ubiquitous (Ubie for short) – while not a certified Therapy Dog – acted like one for 5 years going with me to the Nursing Home 3 times a week. Ubie loved it – it became her mission / her cause. I called her “My Corgi with a Cause”. You are my Role Model. Thank you. I am hoping to start a blog myself in the next month or so. I try to see the beauty and joy in the Simple Gifts that Life has to offer us everyday. You certainly do and it radiates through your blog joyously and consistently. I look forward to reading more. Much love Kim and wiggles and giggles from black fluffy Pem Corgi-Dog Jake
Thanks Kim! I appreciate that you’re following the blog and I’m glad you are starting one soon, too. It will be great!
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother
But I am also glad to hear of the joy Ubie brought to others. Corgis seem to have a gift for that!
Maddie and Mariah send their very best to Jake, as do I!
Please accept this award for inspiring me. http://wingedprisms.com/2013/10/05/sunshine/
If you don’t accept awards, please give to a friend who does or just ignore – 😀
Thank you, cate
Cate-That’s so nice of you!!! Thanks you so much for following mine and I enjoy yours as well!
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😀
Your blog is truly an inspiration and I am glad you found your way back to your words because they touch all who read them. Alzheimer’s runs in our family, as does cancer. We have lost two members to cancer – my mum and her sister, my aunt – and are now walking the long hard road with my mum’s other sister. It is hard when you have no choice but to admit you can no longer care for someone you love in their own home; it is harder when you go to visit them and they can hardly speak to you; it is hardest when you finally accept there is nothing really you can do except love them just as they are … and hold on to the sweet memories you shared.
Thanks so much, galeweithers, for your lovely comment. Your words are making me smile this morning. It’s a tough journey for so many of us. I wish you the very best as you travel this difficult road again with your mother’s sister.
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Thank you for sharing your life’s journey with us. I am intrigued by the name of your blog! Are you a quilter? I am a voracious quilter from the Midwest.
Hi Jacquelyn — I’ve enjoyed looking at some of your posts about Alzheimer’s. My mother has Alzheimer’s and I’m dedicating the month of January to writing about her and her dementia.
If you’re interested in writing any posts (or even using posts that you’ve already written) that relate to the topics I’ve laid out, I’d love to add a link to your posts on mine. Check out “A Month of Remembering” — it explains it. http://28daysatatime.wordpress.com/2013/12/27/january-2014-a-month-of-remembering/
Blessings —
Sally
I am sorry for your loss and I feel following this blog will be a great addition to the support network!
Hi Jacquelyn:
I am sorry for your losses. I’ve taken on caring for a parent, a father-in-law, and a boss who asked me to stay with him until the end, which I did, because he knew I “had experience” with Alzheimer’s. I do the Alzheimer’s Walks here in Illinois – it was gratifying and humbling for me to be able to be the one that these people sought comfort in though as a caregiver, it was also very difficult and draining.
I have enjoyed reading some of your posts – I can relate to them all. I wish you peace and happiness, so well deserved.
Bless you.
Carole