Things don’t necessarily go as well as all of this below, often, anyhow– but there are moments that remind me just how hard Mom is working all day every day to try and hold on to whatever she can. She is not giving up, and moments below make that clear. The hardest part of helping… Continue reading November 21, 2017: What’s good for them will often terrify you
November 16, 2017: Aftermath of respite and attacks on my neighbour
The saga of various attacks on my neighbour, an elderly woman whose mental struggles of decades was weaponized against her to get her apartment (for major Vancouver $$) is interwoven with what Donna was like upon returning from a visit to a respite locale to get myself a break.
October 30, 2017: Three years since mom came home.
October 30, 2017 was the 3rd anniversary of my mother returning home to live with me, and the 4th anniversary of welcoming Baisol into my life as my cat. This year I was actually happy enough to simply note it, and not rant about it. Such is life.
July 25, 2017: Mom scares me by being normal
Much behind the piano, the second biggest improvement in our home has been me getting motivated enough to reclaim mom’s garden for her, and now myself. When I lived here without mom a few years ago (and I was living with a partner at the time), I managed to get the garden half decent, growing… Continue reading July 25, 2017: Mom scares me by being normal
July 14, 2017: Two years sober and smokeless
Nothing scared me more than failure when I decided to make this work. Nothing seemed a more sure fire recipe for disaster than on again, off again drinking problems mixed with the emotional minefield that is this process. I made it more than a month when Mom first moved home, but foolishly decided to have… Continue reading July 14, 2017: Two years sober and smokeless
June 30, 2017: Thoughts while dropping mom off for a few days respite
Mom has a lovely way of saying things that make a huge difference in my feeling useful, and dropping them in times and places that make everything easier. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it’s possible to make it a lot harder on me, and she accidentally does this as well… but when she helps by… Continue reading June 30, 2017: Thoughts while dropping mom off for a few days respite
June 20, 2017: How Mom changes upon going home
Mom had a hospital stay, one that was as close to good news as such a thing can be. But she still wanted to get home, as we all would, and helping her get here is my gig. Her change in demeanor when I arrive and she gets that she is leaving for home, me… Continue reading June 20, 2017: How Mom changes upon going home
June 6, 2017: I get a visit from the ghost of my grandmother
Mom has skill and love for the piano that couldn’t have come by her more honestly. Her mother taught her at an early age, and given her memories are stronger the older they are, her piano lessons are seemingly as fresh in her mind as playing the piano itself. I had a little moment where… Continue reading June 6, 2017: I get a visit from the ghost of my grandmother
May 4, 2017: When Spring has sprung
Last summer was the first one to head into with a Mom who also loves to play piano. This is remarkable for many reasons, and perhaps it is best because not only does it give warm, enjoyable things to do all winter– but something beautiful to cap the day when we have been out all… Continue reading May 4, 2017: When Spring has sprung
February 23, 2017: Please stop talking past my mother
Mom, as par for the course she is currently on, does not converse easily very often. As a result, even I find myself dealing with her much more poorly in the company of other people. I think it is fair to say her ‘care’ from myself is at its lowest when I am around others… Continue reading February 23, 2017: Please stop talking past my mother