Dancing for Memories Caregivers Connect

Hello. I came from Instagram, where your mother's story touched me as I walked the wretched Alzheirmer's journey with my own beautiful mother.

Her journey with this horrible disease began eight years ago, three years after she lost her husband, my father, to Vascular Dementia. Throughout it all, she never stopped smiling, never stopped singing, and never let us know she was anything but happy. I live several hours away, and fortunately, my sister was able to be with her daily while Mom was a resident of the nursing home. My sister called me every day after lunch or dinner, and I was able to talk to Mom. It was the best part of my day! I started writing a list of things she said that I knew I would want to remember one day. My favorite? One day, when I told her I didn't know anything exciting,  she said, " Well, just being together is great!" I also kept voicemails she left so I would always have my mom's beautiful voice when I needed it. My sweet, selfless, beautiful mother left us one month ago. My sister and I were holding her hands as she breathed her last breath. I saw all the pain and sadness disappear, and her face glowed peacefully again. It was then I decided Alzheimer's didn't win. It may have taken parts of her from us sooner than we wanted, but it never stole that beautiful soul that existed deep down inside. It is a horrible, awful disease. However, it gave me a glimpse into the person she was before she was my mom. When she talked to her mom or asked when her grandma was coming to visit, I realized that these people were waiting for her on the other side of this world. And while I had to let go, they would be there to welcome her. I miss her horribly. Learning to live in a world without your mother is hard. I will never be the same, and now I strive to live like she did. She lived for her children. And I will do the same. Thank you for being a light to those of us stumbling through this journey that no one wants to take.