by lori | Feb 19, 2024 | Alzheimer's, Essays, Poetry, Unapologetically Odd, Wayfinding
If you’re experiencing yourselfas a lonely individual right nowdon’t read this whole thing yet. Firstgo outside, touch a treetalk with an old person and a child and a birdeat something made for you by anothermove, rest, repeatuntil you feel community in your hands and... by lori | Oct 20, 2017 | Alzheimer's, Essays, Grace, Strength in Real Life
Hello family, We have some news. I’ve been away from my computer for a week—up with mom and dad—thanks for being patient with me. A week ago Thursday, Mom moved into Harbor Care, the memory care building in their retirement community. Dad still lives in the cottages,... 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 | Oct 28, 2016 | Alzheimer's, Culture, Essays, Story
I lose the mom I grew up with to Alzheimer’s every day. This loss began roughly 12 years ago for me and is with me every day. Others who love her live with similar loss—we each lose her in different ways and stages. You may see her smiling face in photos and think... by lori | Jul 7, 2016 | Acceptance, Alzheimer's, Essays, Grace, Story
For the past three months, I’ve been an almost daily care partner for our mom, who is moving into late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Our family has been living with the disease for a decade now. Dad has been caregiving for mom, mostly on his own, for more than a decade... 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,...