Author Archives: daughter3

About daughter3

My mom has Alzheimer's disease. She's 91 and lives in a nursing home. She has three daughters. I'm her youngest.

Meaning

Posted on August 16, 2017 by daughter3

When I walk into the TV room where my mom sits with the other residents, they are all motionless in wheelchairs and arm chairs. While they’re facing the TV set, their eyes are wandering or down, or to the side, … Continue reading →

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Mother’s Day

Posted on May 30, 2017 by daughter3

I didn’t visit my mom on Mother’s Day. I had something else to do, and I couldn’t be in two places at once. I figured I’d buy her a Mother’s Day card at Target that night and visit her the next … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Carmen

Posted on February 14, 2017 by daughter3

Carmen* is sad. She’s been looking that way for weeks now, maybe even for months. She doesn’t smile when I get her attention like she used to. And she almost never looks up. Yesterday, I saw her daughter Bianca* as … Continue reading →

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Coloring

Posted on November 21, 2016 by daughter3

My mom was such a simple person — on the outside. She never lied. Or cheated. Or stole. Or smoke or drank, for that matter. She believed in God and prayed, and she loved her children. She was nice and … Continue reading →

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L’Shanah Tovah

Posted on October 12, 2016 by daughter3

“HA-va Nagila, HA-va Nagila, HA-va Nagila Ve-nis mech-A!” The musician was singing with energy and joy, and people were getting up to dance. “What is he singing?” my mom asked. “Hava Nagila,” I said. “What does that mean?” she asked. … Continue reading →

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Being There

Posted on September 14, 2016 by daughter3

“Is my butt bigger than that girl’s butt?” my mom asked, pointing at a passing woman. We were in the Hebrew Home sculpture garden, celebrating Grandparents Day with a couple hundred residents and guests. I almost knocked us both over … Continue reading →

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Some Days

Posted on August 12, 2016 by daughter3

The bathroom door opened, and my mom stepped out. Her face lit up when she saw me. “I didn’t know you were here!” she said with excitement and affection. She stepped closer and hugged me, resting her head against my … Continue reading →

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Conversations

Posted on July 29, 2016 by daughter3

When I arrived at the Hebrew home at 3 PM, I found my mom in bed under the covers. She was facing the window, so she couldn’t see me as I entered. Without announcing my presence, I sat on the … Continue reading →

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Sculpture Garden

Posted on June 29, 2016 by daughter3

I don’t always know what to do with a beautiful June day, when the sky is deep blue, the air is fresh, and the sun is shining. But when I’m at Hebrew Home, the best way to spend it is in … Continue reading →

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Play

Posted on June 22, 2016 by daughter3

I sneak up on my mom in the dining room and surprise her. “Oh, don’t scare me. I get scared very, very….” “Easily?” “Yes… no… very, very… greatly.” “Sorry.” We walk to her room and lay on her bed. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments