When my mom or your loved one is not acting like themselves or enjoying the things that make them special; Alzeheimers’ has attacked.  Eight years ago my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I knew something was going on but it was only slight forgetfulness of things. I really noticed a change when she stopped cooking. She would always order in. Her clothes were not put together the way I knew she could, and her hair was untidy. I decided it was time for my mom to come live with me and my family. We were all eager to have her because she always said if she ever had to live with someone it would be me. I watched mom go from a person very concerned about everything to a person less and less concerned. That’s the way it appeared but her love and concern for me remained until the end.

Mom has always been my absolute best friend and she has always called me her psychologist. Our relationship throughout my life has been a very special one. Everyone in our family always knew it was me and mom on everything, mother and daughter and best friends.

This disease is a hurtful one because it takes so much away from you. It hurts when you love someone and have to see them lose so much of who they once were. So I decided although I missed the way things were,  I would not let it rob us of the time we had together. I had to accept the way things were going in order that I enjoy the time she was still here with me.  My acceptance was only to remove its devastation for the moments to enjoy my mother. I fought day and night to find an answer, maybe a cure, to this wicked monstrous disease. This thing had its grip on us and there was nowhere to escape. I was my moms caregiver and I was determined that she was going to live every single day she had left with dignity and joy. So I made the adjustments as we went along. We never lost our connection to one another and I know that was a Blessing from God. I have cried for us both and even in her weakened state she would touch my hand to soothe my pain. She would say,

“You are a good person, you’ll make it, you’ll be alright. “Can you imagine? Now that is a mother’s love and to feel her comforting hand is a daughter’s joy.

 

My mother passed away in 2011, but her love and spirit are with me and live on through my work to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.  As the National spokesperson for The Alzheimer’s Association and the Founder of Remembering The GoodTimes Foundation may our works be Eula Stanislaus Eternal Flame.   Through her life we will never forget her special gifts, life lessons, and cherished memories.  I know it is my Mothers’ last wishes, that I Remember The GoodTimes for her and you Remember The GoodTimes for them.