My role as wife started on a hot day in August, over 30 years before. I knew how to be a wife, and had fulfilled that role for a long time.  My role as caregiver crept up on me. I had been a caregiver for a while before I even realised that I had the […]

My parents were leaving for a road trip out west, and Dad asked me if I would take Mom shopping in preparation for their journey. She needed some camisoles and other items he wasn’t comfortable shopping for. Mom had mid-stage Alzheimer’s and couldn’t go on her own. In the dressing room, as I helped her

Cinnamon 2002-2013 This is a tribute to my best buddy. My miracle dog. My Cinnamon. I wanted a dog for years, but for various reasons, it wasn’t possible. The daycare, money and lack of enthusiasm for the idea from other family members. Then there came a day when I announced I wanted a dog, and

We’ve talked about change in the caregiver situation this month. The fast change (such as a stroke, or a fall with a broken hip) that blindsides you and changes everything overnight. The slow change (such as the progression of Alzheimer disease) that is insidious and catches you unawares as it sneaks up on you and

I just returned from my first camping trip in 40 years.And I loved it. Although this was a camping experience like I’d never had in my life, it was what I always thought camping should be. Pitching your tent in a square of land in a provincial park beside other squares of land with other

Slow change. You’ve had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s for your mother. There were changes that led you to the decision to take her to the doctor, so you had suspected, but it was shocking to hear. You needed to make changes. You entered the new role of caregiver, and began to do things like taking

I am famous for carrying stuff. LOTS of stuff. My daily commute involves the train, subway and bus (one way).  My job involves shopping for stuff and bringing said stuff to work in bags and satchels and once, a suitcase. Wool and decorations and books and food in a crock pot. My most notorious journey

One of the ways to cope with change is to deny it. Refusing to see what is in front of you, although not an effective strategy long term, can help you get through today. Trouble is, tomorrow comes. When Bill was sick, there wasn’t a time until the last week of his life when it

Remember when you had your first baby?  When I brought my daughter home, I was terrified. I had all kinds of experience with kids, including babysitting, but this little person was depending on me in ways no other child had. My husband had to work that first night, and I was sure something terrible would

A year ago today, my life changed forever. It started on Valentine’s Day, when I received my first email from the man who was to become my husband. Both of us had been actively searching for a long time, and both had almost given up. Both had made mistakes, and both had an “Oh wow!”