“You’re staying overnight, right?” my mom asks.
I shake my head no, for the fifth time. I just got here an hour ago, and that’s all she can talk about.
My mom wants nothing more than to go to bed with me in her apartment and wake up to find me there.
“I wish you could come live with me,” she says. “But that will never be.”
She’s so lonely. Everyone in her life, everyone she can remember, is gone — her brothers and sisters, her mother. I’m her steadfast connection to family, the person she’s closest to. My presence comforts her because it tells her she’s not completely alone. But I’m never there enough, and not for long enough. She spends so much of our time together lamenting the fact that I will leave. Soon. Always too soon.
“You never stay overnight,” she says.
I try to change the subject.
I know it’s hard for her to fight the loneliness, to keep it at bay. She’s good at making new friends, but bad at remembering that she’s made them. Once her roommate has gone to bed, she feels all alone in the world.
“There are so many people who like you,” I say, trying to buoy her up.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she says. “I don’t know anyone here.”
I’m worn out with her loneliness. It’s making us both sad.
Thankfully, her stuffed animals and dolls give her some comfort. Kathy and I bought her a doll that she fell in love with, but she was so afraid someone would steal the doll that she hid her. Then she couldn’t find her, which made her think someone really had stolen her. She was bereft, sadder than if she’d never been given the doll in the first place. Then the doll reappeared in the kitchen cabinet, hidden behind cereal boxes.
Sometimes I feel like my mom is like that doll, disappearing with no warning, leaving me feeling bereft. But then like the doll, she reappears — or at least some semblance of her does. Sometimes I think it would be better if, on one of her best days, she would just die, so I could remember her as fully aware, as fully engaged, as possible. I don’t want to watch her lose touch with everyone around her, and with herself. I don’t want to watch her get more lonely.
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I’m raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association, a great organization that has helped my mom and me tremendously. I’m participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. My mom and I would really appreciate any support you want to give. Please visit our page.
momsalzheimers 
Beth, I adore your posts. They are heartbreakingly beautiful…you are a devoted daughter and I deeply respect your efforts to visit and stay involved with your mom. Kathy talks about how much you do for your mom all the time. It’s an honor to support your Alzheimer’s Association walk – enjoy it! Date: Wed, 9 Oct 2013 14:30:31 +0000 To: michellemseymour@hotmail.com
Thank you so much, Michelle! I’m so glad you like the blog, and I really appreciate your support! Alzheimer’s is such a difficult disease to manage, and the support I get in response to these blog posts really helps. Thanks for reading — and for helping me get closer to reaching my fundraising goal.
Dear Beth,
I wish our mothers could get together and keep each other company. The isolation or perceived isolation that this disease causes is one of its cruelest ‘side effects’ and it’s so difficult to witness.
-Lynn
Lynn,
Maybe they can. I’m hoping my mom can get into the Hebrew Home. I’ll tell you more later. Thanks for your comment.
Beth
Beth, this is so sad. It’s an ongoing heartbreak and so hard for you to have to face with each visit. I wonder whether your Mom doesn’t forget how much she wanted you to stay once you have left?
Good point, Barbara! Maybe she forgets about me between our meetings. Thanks for your comment.
Beth, you are doing an amazing job. My heart is breaking for both of you and as I get older frightens me to think that this could be any one of us. G-d bless your efforts
Love, Gail
Thank you so much, Gail. I really appreciate your support. I wish there was something I could do to make it better for my mom and for all of us who’ll have a difficult time as we age. Love, Beth
Reblogged this on Louisely's Blog and commented:
heartbreakingly beautiful post ….
Thank you for reposting!
to the point and heartbreaking..your blogs are beautiful
Thank you, Nancy.
Beth, one of the most difficult things to deal with is the guilt of never being able to do enough. I’ll bet you are doing so much more to care for your mom than you could have imagined when she first became ill. Please try to remember that, and know that the Alzheimers Association is there for you too.