Tags
Alzheimer's, Grief, life, Mother, smiles
This pretty woman is my 80 year old mother, smiling as she is raking up leaves in her new yard in Ventura. Inside, her home is in the process of being renovated and beautified in preparation for her move-in date, hopefully really soon.
Following the death of my father, I wondered if that smile would return. It has. Not the same exact smile, for now there is a sadness in her eyes that lingers in the background…yet the smile we see is so very precious and I plan on banking each one and treasuring them all.
My Mother and Sister Teresa….not the Catholic one…but somewhat saintly with a halo, albeit a crooked and dented one, are now in my town. I am thrilled that I do not have to wonder how Mom is adjusting, I will only have to drive six miles to find out for myself. It is a relief to know that she is well cared for and secure…and smiling.
Watching my surviving parent age and seeing my own aging in the mirror every morning is disconcerting, especially when Alzheimer’s looms on the horizon. Mom is aware that her memory is not what it was and that, like her mother before her, she is facing a time when she will not recognize her own children anymore. I pray that day is a long time from now. Come on someone…surely there must be a cure for the dreaded memory stealer. I wonder if and when it will prey on my sisters and me.
For the time being, mom remains alert and vibrant. She has been more engaged since she left Oregon and is making plans, choosing her decor and going through her days with purpose…and wearing a smile. A very precious smile indeed.
The smile you see above is now safely documented and stored in my heart. I have room for any and all smiles this wonderful lady decides to bestow. And….I am willing and proud to share them.
LIVING A LIFE ... SHINY & BRIGHT 
Tamie
I love your post and I understand your fears and your sisters fears for the future. And everytime Parker says “Mom, don’t you remember you already told me that,” then I think about my Mom.
Your Mom looks great! I know you are so very happy to have her close to you.
Love you, miss you, and give me a day in October when I can come up and do service & lunch.
Love,
Linda
I know you understand Linda. I wish your Mom was still with you and healthy. The Bible says that Jehovah is yearning to fulfill His promises … I am waiting with with you. Love ya lots. October sounds good, towards the end of the month.
I loved reading every word of this Tamie! I really couldn’t believe when you wrote that she is 80 years old. My first thought was that it was a type-0. Then I did some quick math in my head and realized that it is correct. She’s about the most beautiful 80 year old I’ve EVER seen in my life! Your Mother is the sweetest woman inside and out. I am very blessed to have my own Mother and her as a Mother inlaw who are truely the sweetest beings on this earth. How lucky I feel to know her and love her. Give her my love and let her know that I think about her often. Love, Debbie
Deb….I read her your post and she smiled. Thank you.
What a beautiful picture and post. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for visiting and the compliment.
So happy that your mom will now be close to you and that you will be able to see her often. I understand the ‘sadness in her eyes that lingers in the background’…I see it in myself too, for even when I’m smiling or laughing I am still oh so sad inside and that shows in my eyes. But it sounds like your mom is doing good overall–she is lucky to have daughters that care about her so much. I know that I wouldn’t be as far along as I am now without the love and support of my son and daughter.
Thanks Sylvia…every day is a gift.