The joy that accompanies the holidays can often feel absent from the halls of a residential care facility or in a widowed grandparent’s home. Our aging loved ones can often feel more lonely or isolated as a result of changes in their senses, memory loss, illness or a loss of mobility. Visiting around the… Read more…
When I was 34 years old, my Nana Cumming died after very slow death from Alzheimer’s disease. I was 36 weeks pregnant at the time and was unable to travel back to Ontario. In many ways, I said “goodbye” a long time ago. I remember grieving most when her dementia was progressing and she was… Read more…
There are days where being in denial is better than coming face to face with reality. Like when your child is so misbehaved in the grocery store, you actually believe this small evil person is not your next of kin and you start looking for the mother with the rest of the passersby. Or when… Read more…
One of my favourite cartoons shows a man lying down on a couch in a therapist’s office. The therapist is taking notes. The man says to the therapist, “I love my Dad but he is really difficult to talk to. By the way, are you going to bill me full price for this session,… Read more…
Being a parent gives new meaning to the word exhausted. When my three-and-a-half-year-old, falls to the ground after a quick trip to the grocery store and says, “Mommy – my legs won’t work and I’m ‘hausted”, I can’t help but smile inside. If she only knew! I don’t know about you, but some mornings I… Read more…
“I do remember, and then when I try to remember, I forget.” – Winnie-the-Pooh “Why does Nana call me your name Mommy instead of mine?” “How come Grandpa doesn’t know how to use his knife or fork anymore?” “Dad, what’s wrong with Grandma? She called the toaster a counter and tried to toast her apple.”… Read more…
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