by lori | Jul 26, 2017 | Alzheimer's, Care Partnering, Essays, Getting Lost, Grace, Story, Strength in Real Life, Wayfinding
I wrote this three years ago and somehow forgot to publish it. Its about to become an essay in my new book Unshaken Wonder, which will reach others in October 2017. I’m posting it here now for my friend Clay Forsberg. In part, in response to his lovely new essay... by lori | May 9, 2016 | Alzheimer's, Care Partnering, Caregiving, Essays
Mom’s been living with Alzheimer’s disease for somewhere between 11 and 14 years now, depending on who you ask. Last week, our full-time care partner dad got sick. Really sick. Fever, intense pain, not sleeping, difficulty moving,... by lori | Nov 30, 2015 | Alzheimer's, Care Partnering, Caregiving, Grief, Here and now, Love, Poetry
This is the week Mom can no longer recall her own last name our last name This is the week Mom can no longer answer simple verbal questions such as “Do you want a blanket?” without accompanying gestures and visuals This is the week Mom can no longer follow... by lori | Nov 19, 2015 | Acceptance, Alzheimer's, Books, Care Partnering, Caregiving, Essays, Grace, Story, Wayfinding
My mom Linda was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease by a doctor in 2007. She was just 60 years old. Mom, dad Jim, sister Jen, and I all knew that something was going seriously wrong with Mom for several years before that diagnosis. Memory troubles showed up. Anxiety... by lori | Aug 11, 2015 | Alzheimer's, Care Partnering, Content, Here and now, Poetry, the Void
so welcome here sitting in the sun at a rusty table lunch with caregivers in front of Useless Bay sparrows bathe in dust at our feet fluff and primp without shame we admire the audacity together we swing across Alzheimer’s through marriage troubles creative projects... by lori | May 28, 2015 | Aging Gratefully, Alzheimer's, Beauty, Care Partnering, Content, Neighbors, Poetry
I was telling my neighbor how much I appreciate the multigenerational knowledge and friendship in our new (to us) neighborhood: a rare gift—at least in my world— people holding a 6-generation understanding of a place. He said he appreciated it too and also loves that...