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Category: Alzheimers

Saying goodbye in our own way

Posted on February 8, 2022May 21, 2022 by BritMumInNZ

Mum’s funeral was a day of coming together for many people that had touched her life, even though many people hadn’t seen much of Mum for a few years – such was the torture of Alzheimer’s disease in stealing her away from so many people. It was a moment of remembering the person she was…

Rest in Peace my Dear Mum

Posted on January 13, 2022February 12, 2022 by BritMumInNZ

My Dad and I were on our way to a Friday morning walk with around twenty other people, a walk which my Dad was leading, when his mobile phone rang. We were only five minutes away from parking up and the person calling, from the care home where Mum was being looked after, asked us…

Autumn and a long kiss goodbye

Posted on November 25, 2021February 12, 2022 by BritMumInNZ

Before they rest for winter the deciduous trees glow with such awe inspiring beauty, the leaves giving a grand finale before preparing to stand stoically through frosty nights and bitterly cold days. Leaves turn from green to golden yellow, copper and red, hanging onto the branches till the wind carries them down to carpet the…

In England, where half my heart lives

Posted on October 27, 2021February 12, 2022 by BritMumInNZ

It’s been four weeks since I landed in England, where half of my heart lives. It was so hard to say goodbye to my husband and three amazingly supportive children to make this journey, not knowing when I’ll be able to return to New Zealand. I talk to them via video calls most days and…

‘HELLO’

Posted on November 24, 2020February 12, 2022 by BritMumInNZ

‘HELLO!’ such a simple word. Five letters, two syllables. Spoken several times a day without much thought. Thrown out in passing, shouted across the street, as we enter a shop, greet someone in the local cafe, throw open the front door – ‘Hello’ we call out, ‘Anyone home?’. I never gave the word much thought,…

I miss her, Mum, even though she’s not gone.

Posted on July 23, 2020February 12, 2022 by BritMumInNZ

I miss her, Mum, even though she’s not gone. Still here, but not. I see a flash of her smile and hear her laugh. Drying dishes. Tears in my eyes, wishing for easy conversations. I move on. Wipe down the kitchen bench-top; my daughter has left hot glue gun remnants soldered onto the surface. I…

Visits to my folks in England, Sept. 2019 & March 2020 – with plentiful National Trust visits!

Posted on April 15, 2020February 12, 2022 by BritMumInNZ

It was my Mum’s 73rd Birthday recently, but she wasn’t aware – and hasn’t been for a few years now. Alzheimer’s disease has robbed her of knowing there are different days in a week, let alone knowing what day her Birthday is. Nevertheless my dear Dad had a cake ready for her, cards from family…

Solo trip to see my dear folks in England

Posted on May 6, 2018February 12, 2022 by BritMumInNZ

Ever since my Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease I’ve felt the impact of living on the other side of the world from her in a deeper magnitude than any time in the past twenty years. Seeing my folks visit us in New Zealand this recent Christmas and New Year was absolutely amazing, but also…

It takes – but forget – we will not

Posted on November 16, 2017February 12, 2022 by BritMumInNZ

The disease does nothing but take – life long memories slowly ripped away whilst new ones can no longer be retained.   She’s at her happiest in the moment – when walking in nature throwing seeds for the birds watching squirrels forage for nuts.   Together we sit, and colour in pictures pick lavender and smell…

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