Flying To The Moon A Mother And Daughter S Journey Through Alzheimer S

FLYING TO THE MOON: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Alzheimer's tells of the enduring devotion of a daughter and her beloved mother, their lives imperiled by an abusive marriage and a debilitating disease. As Ivy's awareness diminishes and Jennifer's marriage unravels, they come together to embrace a new reality accentuated by poetry, piano duets and their celebration of the nonsensical. Once a self-reliant single mother in control of her life, Jennifer returns to her art and discovers a newfound confidence and direction, her mother resolute in support despite the ravages of Alzheimer's. Set in vibrant, multicultural Miami, this affectionate account of a mother and her daughter's journey touches on universal themes of loss, survival and empowerment. Poignant, honest and inspiring, Flying to the Moon offers hope to everyone affected in some way by this tragic affliction.

FLYING TO THE MOON: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Alzheimer's is a memoir about the enduring devotion of a daughter and her beloved mother, their lives imperiled by an abusive marriage and a debilitating disease. Set in vibrant, multicultural Miami, this affectionate account touches on universal themes of loss, survival and empowerment. Poignant, honest and inspiring, Flying to the Moon offers hope to everyone affected in some way by this tragic affliction.

"Imagine the heart-wrenching devastation that is experienced by a family when a parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease! Author Diane Currie shares her candid and personal reflections about her mother's struggle with this disease as she copes with the reality of the present but always honors the memory of her past. Through a series of moving vignettes, she remains connected with her mother in a creative way as the strong bond between them slowly dissolves as the disease progresses. From the first moment of her mother's diagnosis, Currie conveys in a captivating manner the intense feelings of loss and hopelessness one experiences when dealing with this dreadful disease. She is able to protray the subtle changes in her mother's behavior and personality throughout her decline, all in a deeply human way. While Before My Eyes describes one family's touching and painful journey, in essence Currie's reflective account may typify the Alzheimer's experience, while offering support and validation to all those who walk its arduous path"--Page 4 of cover.

Adventures in Mother-Sitting is the story of the final dance between Eva Cox and her daughter Doreen "Dody" Cox. Eva Cox was a young hardworking widow with four little girls. She was an incredible nurse, visiting needy families like hers every day for decades. How did her golden years wind up? Did she go out with her "boots on?" Eva's life ended in a manner she would have never guessed. Her daughters, friends, neighbors, and total strangers spent three years caring for Eva in her home as she receded into a second childhood by way of dementia. Follow Dody's saga in both leading and following her mother through the final dance of Eva's life.

Traces the cultural process through which American women become married as reflected by the experiences of patrons at a family-owned bridal shop in Michigan, offering insight into how the rite of passage reflects national views on marriage.

Dementia touches so many families. Whether the diagnosis is Alzheimer's, Lewy Body or one of the many varied names dementia goes by, it still affects the same. Memories are lost, loved ones grieve and struggle to face this new reality. My siblings and I were no exception. Out of a family of seven children my mother began calling me for help. I thought my very capable mother was suffering from depression over the loss of my father a few short years before. But, the reality of my mother's condition and consequently my efforts to help her led to years of sadness, family turmoil, laughter and a relationship that took me by surprise. This book begins with my mother's life story as a member of the greatest generation and expands to include her last years. It is her story and our story as my mother began and ended her Slow Slide into Nothing.

After the shock arrest of my father and the subsequent loss of his beloved car, life became rather hectic and no one expected the journey we were about to take. From the original diagnosis of Frontal Lobe Dementia, to the admission into a Care Facility, it became necessary for myself to find an outlet for all that I was experiencing and seeing. As a Blogger, I was used to writing about serious Life issues, so it seemed a natural fit to write about the journey that I was taking with my Dad. These pages, are a selection of Blogs released a few years ago, with an updated one from this year. My hope is that all who read this book, will find comfort, honesty and some humour along the way!

“A fiercely loving and tender tribute” (Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice and Every Note Played), this lyrical memoir by one of America’s most revered actresses weaves stories of her adventures and travels with her mother, while reflecting on the beautiful spirit that persists even in the face of her mother’s terminal disease. Marcia Gay Harden knew at a young age that her life would be anything but ordinary. One of five lively children born to two Texas natives—Beverly, a proper Dallas lady, and Thad, a young naval officer—she always had a knack for storytelling, role-playing, and adventure. As a military family, the Hardens moved often, and their travels eventually took them to Yokohama, off the coast of Japan, during the Vietnam War era. It was here that Beverly found her own self-expression in ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. Using the philosophy of ikebana as her starting point, Marcia Gay Harden intertwines the seasons of her mother’s life with her own journey from precocious young girl to budding artist in New York City to Academy Award-winning actress. With a razor-sharp wit, as well as the kind of emotional honesty that has made her performances resonate with audiences worldwide, Marcia captures the joys and losses of life even as her precious mother gracefully strives to maintain her identity while coming to grips with Alzheimer’s disease. “Replete with emotionally resonant scenes, humor, and tales of Harden’s own journey as an actor” (Booklist), Seasons of My Mother illustrates the unforgettable vulnerability and beauty of motherhood, as Marcia does what Beverly can no longer do: she remembers.