Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A very special auction

I wanted to take a few minutes and let you know about something that really touched me this morning. A friend of mine has a mother-in-law diagnosed with Alzheimers , and I know from personal experience what this can mean. She's been busy creating some art pieces and is auctioning them off on her blog, Average American Girl. Her earnings will be donated to Memory Walk and you can read all about how to bid , and if you win donate that bid , on her blog.
I was so moved by Christy's generous little heart today. I hope you stop by and participate if you can. It's painful to live with - the parent you know so well is not the grandparent your kids come to know , and so many things get lost in the course of the disease. My mom loved kids , but she has no relationship to speak of with mine. A lot of times it's the little things that bother me , like how mom fries chicken or bit's of family history that she knew. She used to be the Keeper in my family. She had all the stories and all the photos , and she had some great recipes too.
When my mother had a mastectomy two years ago , she had to be taken back to the ER no less than 3 times , because she kept ripping her shunt out. When she woke up in the morning she didn't know why she hurt so much or why her breast was gone - I had to explain it to her , and then we both cried. She was in tears because she knew she should have known why, and it frightened her that she didn't - and I cried for the same reason. It broke my heart.
Most of the time with us it's not like that , most of the time it's like caring for another child , at least to me. But sometimes it's bad. And it scares me , because my sibs and I may have the same problems. We really don't know - her sibs don't. I look at my son and I wonder , who will care for him?
So - I put my bid in at Christy's blog. I hope I don't win.

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