24 Tuesday Dec 2013
Posted in Grieving, Holidays, Mom, Ruminations, Smiles
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A year has passed, and the sharp, almost unbearable pain has settled into a dull ache. I miss you every single day.
Christmas was always one of your favorite times of the year, and nothing will ever compare to our wonderful Christmas Eves on Sunbury Road. 
The aroma of that delicious homemade sauce filling the air, wine flowing freely, enough food to feed an army, and so much love and laughter…
Merry Christmas, Mom.
With all my love,
Ann
20 Friday Dec 2013
If dementia has touched your life, you know how difficult the holidays can be. Expectations followed by disappointment and traditions slowly fading; a once joyous season often turns into what is perhaps the most stressful times of the year.
Earlier in December, I had the pleasure of being a guest on the USAgainstAlzheimer’s Activist Network call, and our very timely topic was – you guessed it – coping with the holidays. Trish Vradenburg, our co-founder, has compiled many of the tips from that call into a great piece for the Huffington Post.
Take a few minutes to read Making the Holidays Bright When Alzheimer’s Is in the Picture, and if you have a chance, listen to the recorded call. You’ll hear Susy Favaro, LCSW, from the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Virginia Biggar, Director of the USA2 Activist Network, and myself talking with both caregivers and several individuals who live with the disease every day. The callers who participated had many insightful comments and suggestions that could significantly improve this and future holidays for you and your family.
Do you have a holiday story or tip to share? If so, please leave a comment. By sharing our experiences, we have the potential to help each other immensely!
Happy Holidays!
Ann
15 Sunday Dec 2013
Posted in Grieving, Holidays, Life After Caregiving, Mom, Ruminations, Saying Goodbye
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December 14, 2013. 11:24pm. A few minutes ago, I finished decorating the Christmas tree, turned out the lights, and sat down to enjoy it. The tears flowed easily as I gazed at all of the memories on that tree. As I was hanging ornaments, it struck me – I didn’t realize how many angels I had, but this year they seem to have taken on new meaning.
A year ago on this day, I knew we were nearing the end. Tonight I sit here looking at pictures, and it doesn’t seem possible that she’s even gone – let alone gone an entire year.
It was just after noon on December 15, 2012, that she went home.
What a dichotomy… the sorrow of missing her so much that it physically hurts, yet gratitude in knowing she’s no longer suffering. 
The thing about life, I guess, is that our faith is constantly tested. We are reminded by virtue of the word itself, faith – we’re asked to trust in the illogical and the uncertain. It’s one of the most difficult things of all, isn’t it? Believing what you can’t see or touch… trusting that a Higher Power has control of everything, even when we don’t…
The Long and Winding Road... 