We all have a story. Whether we choose to share it or not is another matter. Following mum’s death I started to write about her, and our, struggle with dementia. It helped but I didn’t ever envisage sharing my writings. A friend who I trust and rely on always, told me about ‘Company of Others‘ who wanted stories of endings from real northern women for … Continue reading We all have a story …
None of us know what the future holds. None of us know how our lives will pan out. I’m sure there are times when you look back and say ‘if only’. Mum’s dementia caused lots of ‘if only’ moments. ‘If only she could have told us how she felt, if she understood why we had to have her placed into care, if she forgave us, if … Continue reading Write a letter to your loved ones
The last few weeks have seen a lot of reflective thought. Mum’s dementia and death have made us all stop and re evaluate what is important. What is important? What is It that defines us and makes us what we are? The values we hold now are rooted in our childhood and the values our children and grandchildren will have are rooted within us. My … Continue reading Finding your place
It’s a strange time at the minute and one where we are coping with a range of emotions. We interred mum’s ashes this morning and said our goodbyes once again. It felt very odd, a small wooden casket, two lots of workmen a council officer and a funeral director. Mum’s final resting place is elegant marble and bedecked with beautiful flowers – it gives us … Continue reading Mixed emotions
Mum died on 26th June and we have spent this week making the seemingly hundreds of arrangements. I will blog properly when I get my head together but wrote this today as i’m struggling. Friends keep asking me how I am but the honest answer is I don’t know. Mum died last week and whilst I’m desperately trying to mourn her I’m having trouble finding … Continue reading 1st July 2015
Today has been a day of two halves. The first half was a wonderful couple of hours at a Special School talking about Kakuma Refugee camp with a group of delightful young people who are all keen to make a difference. On the way home I called to see Mum. whilst I went to get a chair she said clearly ‘Who is that woman?’ I … Continue reading 30th April Dementia Diaries update
Having spent the morning with mum – the challenge of a room full of people who are suffering from dementia listening to Meatloaf blasting out – I felt decidedly tearful. It’s hard to not have the answers, it’s hard to reassure someone who is so confused. The twilight world that mum inhabits is hard to penetrate. She smiles at Tommy but doesn’t know who he … Continue reading 23rd – 26th April
Jane Hewitt 