BLOG.TOUCHSTONEMEMORIES.COM

One of his best concerts

Touchstone Memories Video Blog — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:11:00 GMT

Today is the day after Christmas. I found myself watching the 10 minute "demo" version of my mom's slideshow video. I got to reminiscing about one of the my visits out to see my parents in Olympia when they both lived at an assisted living facility.

It was a few days after Christmas in 2002. I was eager to use my video camera, so I asked my dad if he would play a few songs for me on the baritone horn I had gotten for him a few months before. My dad was a career musician in the Army band, so not even Alzheimer's could erase the memory of playing from his fingers.

My dad commenced to play about 30 minutes of various Christmas carols and hymns for me right out in the hall outside their room. He was in especially good form, and I felt really privileged to be treated to a private concert! Not bad for a guy of 89 and in the middle stage of Alzheimer's...

You never fully say goodbye

Touchstone Memories Video Blog — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:11:00 GMT

   The other day I was giving a friend a lot of advice about managing so many of the legal and practical problems when Alzheimer's touches a loved one's life. When I was talking to my friend, I was very matter of fact about the issues. After all, it has been more than a year since my mom passed away and more than 5 years since I lost my dad, both from Alzheimer's.

   It was when I was driving home that the emotion hit me. It felt like I was re-living all of the aspects of my folks' conditions that I had just been advising my friend about. I still remember when a social worker called me in March of 2001 and it hit me like a ton of bricks when I was told that my mom most likely had Alzheimer's disease. My mother--who was the pillar of our family? I remember it being so hard to grasp that my mom, who used to call the bank if her account was off by a nickel, could have a devastating disease that would steal her memory, her ability to problem solve, and ultimately take her life. Disbelief, sadness, grief, a sense of being overwhelmed--all of these hit me back in 2001 as well as when I was driving home from my friend's house.

   Thankfully, these were not the only emotions I felt 8 1/2 years ago and the other day. I also experienced a lot of hope, great appreciation for my parents' kindness, and amazement at their continued great sense of humor and courage despite their conditions. In fact, I will aim to dedicate future entries of this blog to many of the precious insights into my parents' true selves that I discovered as I managed their care and well being for more than 7 years.

   I invite anyone who reads this blog to add comments of your own about how you are coping (or not!) with a current or past diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with a loved one. Hopefully we can help each other to lesson our grief and improve situations relating to Alzheimer's disease.

   In addition, I welcome you to visit my website: Touchstone Memories Video. This site explains about my service of creating customized slideshow videos from family photos to benefit individuals and families touched by Alzheimer's disease or other debilitating conditions (such as stroke or needing hospice care).

- Debbie

Welcome

Touchstone Memories Video Blog — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:49:44 GMT

Welcome to my blog. I am excited about my new website. You can feel free to send me any comments or questions about my site: www.touchstonememories.com

- Debbie from Touchstone Memories Video