I’m caring for my mom who has dementia. 7 years in, after caring for dad for a year with Parkinson’s. Thank you for your story. I look forward to reading more. I’m tired. So the writing of others helps and makes me feel in good company. My mom’s family was from Ontario and my dad’s father homesteaded in Saskatchewan.
Linda, what a journey you are on. Thank you so much for stopping by my Stack. I hope you found it encouraging.
We have some geographic similarities in our backgrounds -- Mom had (has) family in Ontario, where she was born, and in Saskatchewan, where my great-grandparents homesteaded and where Mom grew up ... starting out on the farm with no running water and only a generator for electricity.
I read your post about taking breaks ... really needed that reminder. Thank you. <3
I loved the story about the anthem! You'd be amazed at some of the wildly inappropriate music that does end up in memorial services. One family put together a slide show of pictures from Mom's life and used Three Dog Night songs as the background. "Joy to the World" was wonderful to lead off, but then things got a bit weird with "Liar" and "Mama Told me not to Come."
Oh my goodness!! Thanks for sharing that, Nancy. It would be fun to compile a list of inappropriate memorial service music ... although I guess one family's "inappropriate" is another family's "anthem" ... Who am I to say? :)
Maybe the lesson here is be sure to choose your own memorial service music before the time comes!
Indeed! Our pastor occasionally invites people to gather after the worship service to talk about planning their memorial services.
Weddings are another challenge. On one memorable occasion, the solosit couldn't attend the wedding rehearsal, and no one knew what she planned to sing. She appeared at the service in a very revealig red satin dress, leaned on the piano, and sang, "Tonight we Love."
Blessings to you on this day when your grief might feel more acute than some others. I'm sending prayers your way (wish I could send you an ice cream sundae!) Thanks for sharing more about your mother.
Thank you so much, Christine, for your blessings and prayers. As it turns out, we did go out for ice cream that day, and the server gave me what must have been the equivalent of a whole PINT! Hah!
Hi Sarah…I went through the same thing with my dad. He passed in Feb 2023. I got to connect with him during the pandemic lockdown period, as he declined fairly rapidly due to a lung disease and being cooped up in the house during this time. He had a number of mini-rebounds, or “rallies” as you call them. The declining appetite and weakening strength is so relatable. I had written his obituary 8 months in advance, because of an unexpected mini-rebound. During that period, I discovered a album full of newspaper clippings from his 1970s swim coaching era. I was so young during then, I didn’t think to include that part. I ended up, tracking down his swimmers and rewrote the obit and about 15 of the swimmers came to his memorial, and were so thankful to have attended. Thanks Sarah for sharing this memory.
Kevin, what a sweet happening -- bringing your dad's swimmers from decades back together for his memorial service. He must have made a huge impression on them, and I imagine they were delighted to reconnect with his memory and with each other. In my experience, the rallies were wonderful and hard all at once, but each brought opportunities. You certainly made the most of your dad's. Well done -- thank you for sharing that.
Knowing me Sarah, as you can well imagine I LOVED this one best. ♥️ Long live country music!
Hah, yes! You've probably heard this one played in person??
I’m caring for my mom who has dementia. 7 years in, after caring for dad for a year with Parkinson’s. Thank you for your story. I look forward to reading more. I’m tired. So the writing of others helps and makes me feel in good company. My mom’s family was from Ontario and my dad’s father homesteaded in Saskatchewan.
Linda, what a journey you are on. Thank you so much for stopping by my Stack. I hope you found it encouraging.
We have some geographic similarities in our backgrounds -- Mom had (has) family in Ontario, where she was born, and in Saskatchewan, where my great-grandparents homesteaded and where Mom grew up ... starting out on the farm with no running water and only a generator for electricity.
I read your post about taking breaks ... really needed that reminder. Thank you. <3
We’re practically related! 😉🩵 So interesting. Thank you for reading my post—I’m honored by your presence in my little Substack world.
You never know -- maybe we're cousins!
I'm happy to have run across your world. Best wishes to you. I look forward to reading more.
🕊️
I loved the story about the anthem! You'd be amazed at some of the wildly inappropriate music that does end up in memorial services. One family put together a slide show of pictures from Mom's life and used Three Dog Night songs as the background. "Joy to the World" was wonderful to lead off, but then things got a bit weird with "Liar" and "Mama Told me not to Come."
Oh my goodness!! Thanks for sharing that, Nancy. It would be fun to compile a list of inappropriate memorial service music ... although I guess one family's "inappropriate" is another family's "anthem" ... Who am I to say? :)
Maybe the lesson here is be sure to choose your own memorial service music before the time comes!
Indeed! Our pastor occasionally invites people to gather after the worship service to talk about planning their memorial services.
Weddings are another challenge. On one memorable occasion, the solosit couldn't attend the wedding rehearsal, and no one knew what she planned to sing. She appeared at the service in a very revealig red satin dress, leaned on the piano, and sang, "Tonight we Love."
Aaaand this is why I love the world of nonfiction. You can't make this stuff up!
Thank you for making me smile, Nancy!
Lovely telling of your experience with your mom. Thank you for sharing. 😍
Thank you, Kathryn! <3 I hope you're doing well ...
Blessings to you on this day when your grief might feel more acute than some others. I'm sending prayers your way (wish I could send you an ice cream sundae!) Thanks for sharing more about your mother.
Thank you so much, Christine, for your blessings and prayers. As it turns out, we did go out for ice cream that day, and the server gave me what must have been the equivalent of a whole PINT! Hah!
Perfect! What flavor?
Ha-ha! Roasted almond fudge and peppermint chocolate chip. Btw, I shared it. ;)
Love your dad's sense of humor! Thanks for sharing that song.
Thank you, Bob & Mary! ;) He'll appreciate that.
Hi Sarah…I went through the same thing with my dad. He passed in Feb 2023. I got to connect with him during the pandemic lockdown period, as he declined fairly rapidly due to a lung disease and being cooped up in the house during this time. He had a number of mini-rebounds, or “rallies” as you call them. The declining appetite and weakening strength is so relatable. I had written his obituary 8 months in advance, because of an unexpected mini-rebound. During that period, I discovered a album full of newspaper clippings from his 1970s swim coaching era. I was so young during then, I didn’t think to include that part. I ended up, tracking down his swimmers and rewrote the obit and about 15 of the swimmers came to his memorial, and were so thankful to have attended. Thanks Sarah for sharing this memory.
Kevin, what a sweet happening -- bringing your dad's swimmers from decades back together for his memorial service. He must have made a huge impression on them, and I imagine they were delighted to reconnect with his memory and with each other. In my experience, the rallies were wonderful and hard all at once, but each brought opportunities. You certainly made the most of your dad's. Well done -- thank you for sharing that.