This year was so totally different from all of the previous family gatherings. Mom moved to the memory care unit on Saturday before Thanksgiving and was settling in. This awful disease has really taken hold of her over the last few months and we have seen a steady decline. It is hard to get a smile out of her but every once in a while we see 'our' mom as we remember her. We talked with several people and they thought it was best that she stay in the memory care unit on Thanksgiving and not come to house of 18 adults and 3 children under 5. It was certainly a 'tough' day but a few of us did go see her after lunch and took her some desert. The unit currently has 16 residents and 10 of them stayed for the holiday. That was my biggest fear.....that mom would be there with two or three others and the rest of people would be away. Making me feel like a total failure....thankful that was not the case. Mom seemed happy to have some company although she did not know who we were. She seems much happier in the new unit with the more structured feeling. The people who work there are awesome and I don't think we could ask for a better place. After all dad has been through over the last 6 months, he was able to come for Thanksgiving for a trial run at home. So far he has done well and will likely come back home to live. We are going to give him a few more days at home before we give his notice.
Alzheimer's is slowly taking the mom I knew away....a little bit at a time. It is sad to remember how vibrant she used to be and to see her the way she is now. It is still mom but she does not recognize family members and sometimes can not follow the conversation.....often we just sit and listen to her talk. Visiting her is still so important and I cherish each moment we have together. The next big holiday will probably bring lots of tears as we get closer to Christmas. My daughter will be coming home from Texas and it will be the first time she has seen her Meme since last Christmas. It is a drastic difference in just twelve months.
Savor each moment with your family, you do not know what tomorrow will bring. I know what the future holds for mom and this disease and I know WHO holds our future. Thank you Lord for our memories that we can cherish. Love you Mom.
