“Oh, Holy Night…

Life with Mom

—-This is a story of a life shared with Mom after her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.—

 …the stars are brightly shining…”

I’ve been listening to Christmas Carols in my car for over a week now.  The reason:  A friend told me a long time ago that when she’s feeling anything but good, she plays Christmas Carols.  She said they calm her and raise her spirits.  She’s right; they do.  I found that out during this past week.

“Come, they told me, Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum…”

Brian and I moved last Saturday.  We moved in with my mother, which we had been planning since last July.   It finally happened, and was/is a lot of work.

But, two days before the move, I brought my mother to see a Neurologist to have her evaluated.  We’ve all noticed a change in her memory and ability to engage in complicated tasks that require judgment and problem solving skills.  After about an hour, the physician swung her chair around and gently broke the news that Mom has early stage Alzheimer’s disease.  It was a shock, and it wasn’t a shock.

“Said the night wind to the little lamb, do you see what I see?  A star, a star, dancing in the night…”

On the way home, I was struck by Mom’s bravery.  We talked a little about the diagnosis and where we go from here.  My father died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease almost 9 years ago, so we’re no strangers to this fate.  As is true of a mother, she thought first of her five kids and what this means to us regarding both of our parents having this life changing disease.  She also mentioned that she doesn’t believe in hiding, and gave me her permission and blessings to tell her story.

“Silent night.  Holy night.  All is calm, all is bright…”

So, yes.  The Christmas music I’ve been playing this past week has had a profound effect on my well-being.   The way it does during the Christmas season.

I feel a little like Cindy Lou Who and the Who’s from Whoville.

“Fah who foraze, Dah who doraze, Welcome Christmas, bring your light…”

Why?  Because we have hope.