tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421893586033340825.post8904601993382089278..comments2024-02-16T17:46:55.369-08:00Comments on Power of a Family: The Best Way to Lose a MomApril Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12798231506799751891noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421893586033340825.post-66177242250018159492013-05-20T21:05:36.112-07:002013-05-20T21:05:36.112-07:00You are the sweetest daughter ever. I love seeing...You are the sweetest daughter ever. I love seeing the way you care for, worry about, and try to honor your mom in this stage of life. I am thankful for your reminders that I need to cherish the relationship I have with my mother. Shannon bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08424147048592041498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421893586033340825.post-22296690336154853422013-05-20T17:36:40.066-07:002013-05-20T17:36:40.066-07:00April I think you are absolutely amazing. I am a r...April I think you are absolutely amazing. I am a reader from New Zealand and have been reading your blog for a while but never commented before. I just wanted to say how much I admire you and how coming onto your blog and reading your website gives me a push everyday to be the best possible mum, wife and person that I can be. I so want you to know what an incredible difference you make in others lives and that by sharing your own experiences that only increases. Both my grandparents had dementia my grandmother used to joke and call it her forgettery! Something that worked so well for me was focussing with her in the hear and now and experiencing the present together things like beautiful autumn leaves or light and also laughing about things that have just happened even silly things like a cat acting crazy in a garden. Without having met you I love you so much you are simply amazing xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421893586033340825.post-30747575209898612442013-05-16T16:01:16.757-07:002013-05-16T16:01:16.757-07:00Once again, just a random blog reader but I had so...Once again, just a random blog reader but I had some thoughts I felt to share. I don't have personal experience with this, but I know that never ever in life will we regret being a little too kind, a little too loving, or spending a little too much time with those we love. As you serve and help your Mom (and Dad) through this, your love will grow for them. We always feel love for those we serve. <br /><br />I hope this doesn't sound like I know your situation, because I don't. But I do know that you will never ever regret the time you are able to spend with your family. Thought and prayers headed your way!mbradyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300574793981052786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421893586033340825.post-9040168741264427142013-05-16T08:46:38.412-07:002013-05-16T08:46:38.412-07:00Hi April. My heart goes out to you. I lost my mom ...Hi April. My heart goes out to you. I lost my mom last summer when she was two months short of her 91st birthday. But long before that we lost her to Alzheimer's. One day during a visit I pulled out my macbook and started showing her photos. One photo was from 1942. <br />I pointed to the photo and said, "This is you and your sister Billie but I don't know who the other gal is." <br />She quickly said as if the photo had been taken the day before, "Oh! That's Jackie!" <br />I asked her who Jackie was. 'She's my Frank's sister!" Frank was her brother-in-law.<br />It was then that I truly realized, that even at times when she didn't know me, her youngest daughter, she remembered her life from 65+ years ago. Sadly I was only 56 when she died so I was a forgotten memory. <br />I started going through every single photo our family had from years ago. I made copies and mailed them to her several times a week. This is a sample of those photos that I just posted for Mother's Day: http://instagram.com/p/ZOu3WuIvmo/ <br />Not only did my mother enjoy the photos but the people who worked with her (in the 24/7 care home where she lived) would talk with her about the photos. It gave her a chance to think, remember and laugh. <br />Talk with your mom as often as you can. Ask her about long ago. Tell her about today and yesterday. Mail her letters, drawings and photos from and of your children. Remember the lessons she taught you and listen to the lessons she still will teach. Thinking of you, your family and your mom. And especially your father. <br />Hugs, CathiCathihttp://simplesojourns.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421893586033340825.post-33750440789957721872013-05-15T22:11:49.389-07:002013-05-15T22:11:49.389-07:00I have been so touched by your focus on your mom l...I have been so touched by your focus on your mom lately. You will not regret all your effort and time with her. What a sweet lady. Amazed at your optimism, heartbroken at watching you let go... Love you April.Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12266580814892668109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421893586033340825.post-60108671923748167492013-05-15T14:59:38.669-07:002013-05-15T14:59:38.669-07:00Sorry to hear you are having to go through this Ap...Sorry to hear you are having to go through this April, but your goals are positive and i'm sure will help you and your children immensely as you share memories and remember the good times and as you taught me at power of moms in Sydney, creating memories for a lifetime. Shyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17095734477021112503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421893586033340825.post-43768890752288987062013-05-15T14:13:32.990-07:002013-05-15T14:13:32.990-07:00My maternal grandmother had a stroke when I was 4....My maternal grandmother had a stroke when I was 4. I do not remember her well. She could not talk and wasn't all there mentally after the stroke. My Mom was great to share stories about her with me. She was an incredible lady and I cannot wait to get to know here on the other side. My Mom involved all of us in her care as well. My sisters and I would go clean her house once a week as well as sit with her to give my sweet Grandpa a break. My older sister would do her hair once a week and we had her for dinner every Sunday. It gave us a great appreciation for Grandpa, our love for Grandma grew as well as we served her. My only piece of advice is to involve your children in her care as well, they will remember it all of their lives.<br /><br />I am so sorry that you are losing her, I wish I could give you a big hug. You are one of the sweetest, most loving people I've ever met (I know it's only been twice, but I can just tell).chercardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13314841357351024070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421893586033340825.post-42038674538217094622013-05-15T11:26:17.815-07:002013-05-15T11:26:17.815-07:00April, you like your dear Mother are beautiful on ...April, you like your dear Mother are beautiful on the inside & outside. I read your posts & am also loosing my Dad slowly and have already lost my dear Mother two years after I married my best friend. <br /><br /><br />My heart still aches over the loss of my dear mother & best friend but now I am slowly loosing my Dad too. I have learned to relish the tender sweet memories, the family moments we shared, traditions & much humor we all enjoyed over the years. Often I share these experiences with my daughter and she loves hearing about my years growing up! We keep her spirit alive & everyday especially in my darkest hours of grief and pain I feel her over near comforting me. <br /><br />I care for my Dad a few day's a week & as his mind is slipping away I remember the father I knew growing up, hard working, loyal, compassionate, valiant leader & kindhearted father. I lovingly try my hardest to care for him & shower him with the love he gave to me as a child. I know I will never regret these moments I get to share with him as a tender soul. <br /><br /><br />I take great comfort in knowing that someday we will be set free of the shackles we experience in life & will fall at the feet of a loving heavenly father & our forever families! <br /><br />keep loving your sweet Mother & don't forget to breath.<br /><br />Mandy Mastershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13299933794070540326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421893586033340825.post-11055041502707085442013-05-15T11:19:22.669-07:002013-05-15T11:19:22.669-07:00Dementia is a cruel ending to a life well lived. Y...Dementia is a cruel ending to a life well lived. Your ideas have the right priorities. Might I add one more: share oral stories with your children about what Grandma was like before her illness. Your older ones might remember, but for your younger ones, it the present Grandma they are more familiar with. Find opportunities to share all the strengths your mom had so that your children can get to know the great lady you have come to love. Those stories will also help them come to terms with your mom's situation. The Mid Life Guruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18409324465542220898noreply@blogger.com