In March 2018 we heard the words ..... Alzheimer's.  It was in the doctors office.

My heart sank.  Mom reacted in her clinical way, shifting clearly into her role as a nurse.  She asked questions.  We asked questions.  Then we left the doctors office.

Mom didn't let the word Alzheimer's leave her lips for several years.  It's 2022, you can do the math.  Denial can last a really long time.  We now joke that she has 'memory problems'.

We have had fun times and not so fun times.  Keep in mind we relish in every single moment that we (my sister, husband, friends, family) share with mom.  We answer the same questions within minutes of each iteration. We divert the conversation when the "I want to go home" statement comes along.  And we hug! Oh yes we hug! and we laugh... alot!!!

We are grateful that mom is mobile and able bodied; that she always wants to help others; she wants to be busy and to be as independent as possible.  For this we are grateful.

Lucky for us Mom was a planner.  So we were ready for shifting from mom & daughters to mothering the mom.  Again, for this we are grateful.

The journey is far from over.  This disease is horrible, it starves us from the parent we desperately want back and starves our loved one from their thoughts, wants and needs.  Ultimate it takes the life of the one you love.  We grieve many times over, it doesn't end.

My hope is that once you have read this, that you will be willing to donate a little $$.  Any and all support helps.  With this said, thank you for reading and thank you for supporting our team. 

With love and kindness, Tonya Maurer