Anna Mae is my Mom's name. She passed away 2/14/2014 @ 6p Friday. Valentine's Day. Some may say how sad that she died on a holiday, I say how appropriate. She was born Christmas time. A week before, I was with her at the nursing home where they were trying to keep her comfortable. I knew it was just a matter of time. She sat at a table, I across from her. Music in the background. My Funny Valentine came on the radio, Mom who was just about holding her own began to sway with the music, I said Mom you remember this song? One of your favorites, she looked into my eyes and smiled. The tears flowed from my eyes as I looked into my beloved Mothers eyes and saw the Mom I loved and love so much. The next wednesday I held her in my arms all day and stroked her face and kissed her. She was so weak....the next two days we had a snow storm and I couldn't get to Pennsylvania....then God took her home. Thank you Lord for bringing her to you for eternal peace and happiness.
Alzheimers is cruel. You watch someone you love lose bit by bit on a daily basis. You get to enjoy fleeting moments when they remember. They take you back in time with them when they were of all ages. One day they know you the next they don't. I can only say that my Mom may not have remembered my name but she hugged me, smiled at me and called me her angel.
Never give up on your parents if they are diagnosed with dementia/alzheimers. Be patient, cry, laugh, always be gentle. Do whatever you have to do to make this transition for your parent as easy as possible. Go to every extent to bring them comfort. Never, never stop loving them. They need to be held, to laugh, encourage them, pray for them.
Thank you Eddie(and Lisa) for allowing Mom to continue to live with you when things got harder. Thanks Steve, Dad , Carole God Bless.
Cranford, NJ