✅ Another accomplishment on her list of favorite things to do! Spent the afternoon (maybe 2 hours) at a friends farm, along with a beautiful picnic under the canopy of gorgeous trees. Nature at its best ... birds singing, soft summer wind, unsweetened iced tea, and plenty of picnic favorite foods. Momma was smiling from ear to ear, and I think my heart literally smiled! ❤️😃
One of the most important things that I fiercely believe in, while caring for my Mom is exploring the opportunities that bring her joy, and making memories. I like to think that creating moments of happiness, taping into positive memories creates a sense of well being. I believe it is so important to find ways to nourish hope, which can improve the quality of your life no matter what the circumstances.
As you all know, a picture doesn’t capture all the work and preparing to make such memories happen .... but, I find it completely satisfying to see my sweet Momma smile as we navigate this unforgiving disease.
Stay encouraged.
Written by
bazooka111
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My sentiments entirely as I nursed my husband. I think we are both blessed in that those we care/cared for, loved life and wanted to make the most of every day and still had the willingness to do it. I was fortunate in that my husband wanted to be out and about almost until the end but I know many living with PSP don’t feel like that. I also know by making happy memories it has helped me to enjoy life after PSP. When I think of my darling daily, it’s with happy thoughts looking back on the good things we did even with the awful condition and knowing I did all I could to make the nightmare better for him. My darling lost the ability to smile so I don’t have photos of him beaming like you have of your mum but he had the ability to do a funny humming laugh which he did right up until two days before he left me. I often still hear that laugh he managed to do in some of the most difficult times as I remember the many funny moments we had during what onlookers would see as horrendous, scary and messy.
Carry on the good work, you are giving your mum a great life under horrendous circumstances but those happy memories will be with you forever.
Thank you for sharing this. I am wondering if PSP and CBD share the same in that Mom may lose her ability to smile? As you probably know, I do have to coach her to smile — meaning I’ll say, smile Momma and she does ... but if I would snap the shot as she looks at the camera, and she knows I’m taking it .. I still have to remind her.
I know some with PSP kept their smile. I remember when taking a photo once I said to all in the picture “smile” and C piped up with, “I am” when he hadn’t spoken for ages. He wasn’t smiling but we were all pleased he had spoken.
Well, my first thought was that you are writing a new series of the Walton’s and this is a sneak preview. Loved that series back in the 70’s (I think).
Priceless! Absolutely love the photo, which tells its own story. I have to confess though that my only disappointment is that I wasn’t picnicking with you all in that beautiful setting, though your description transported me there in spirit.
Hats off to you, Kim, you never fail to find something else to make yet another day for your mom the best it could be.
One thing that we can’t do is to stop the relentless march of these awful diseases but I hope that your posts give encouragement to others in that many things are still doable until they can’t be done anymore. Life isn’t over on diagnosis, albeit the challenges are great, but the rewards can be greater.
I can completely appreciate when you talk about encouraging mom to smile. Rod was the same. I knew he could still feel the emotions, it was just that his brain didn’t connect as it should so a few gentle prompts always brought out a smile.
Keep including mom in everything that gives her and you joy, you’ll know when the time has come to ease back and by then, as hard as it will be for you, the memories you have created will serve you well. That’s not me trying to find the right words, that’s straight from my own experience. NannaB has written a fabulous post from her own experiences with her darling husband.
Thanks for putting a huge smile on my face. If today is a rest day for mom, make sure your feet are up too, you’ve earned it.
Awww I just refuse to give in at this point, but not that I dont have “those days” ... we all do. Hard days ... I am learning to do transfers with Mom, her legs just freeze and I’m trying to protect my back .... whew it’s hard.
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