Wishing Mom a Happy Heavenly Birthday
She was waiting for us when we got home from work, sitting on the porch smiling when we pulled in. While Rich was preparing dinner I would help her wash up. After coaxing her to eat some vegetables we then would go out for some fresh air. Sometimes we would sit and swing or we might walk around the block smiling and waving to our neighbors. It’s getting late so I help her with her shower. She has so much fun splashing me with water and then laughing! She loved when I brushed her hair and rubbed lotion on her dry skin. Before bed we would play a game, dominoes was her favorite. She loved to see how many dominoes we could pile up before the stack fell down. She laughed and we try again. The day is over and I tuck her in bed, give her a kiss and tell her I love her. Tomorrow will be another interesting and fun day. Maybe I’ll give her the scissors for cutting paper, she enjoys cutting out coupons, very carefully cutting around the dotted lines. It takes her a long time to cut one coupon but she is so patient making sure not to cut the coupon. She looks at the stack she has cut, she’s so proud. It’s little things that bring a smile to her face and I’m so glad for all the memories I made with her.
This sound like a typical evening with a little child but it’s not…..it’s my mom when she was suffering with Alzheimer’s disease for over ten years.
Today is my mom’s birthday, she would have been 102 years old but she passed away when she was 79 years old. This picture is when mom celebrated her birthday in 1996 when she was 75 years old. Mom and dad were so in love for over 50 years in this picture.
My poem to mom when she passed away:
We are a gift from up above, God sent us down with all his love.
There comes a time that he will say, I need you home with me today.
All the memories of the past, forever in my heart will last.
Mom loved flowers and every year we add more flowers and Angels to her memory garden, I know she is looking down smiling and watching over her family. Happy Heavenly Birthday Mom, love you so much.
A Poem for Mom
Today is your birthday
But you are not here.
I hold on to memories
That make you seem near.
I go to the garden,
You loved flowers so much.
The beauty is there,
Like your gentle touch.
I wish I could see you,
If for only a day.
I’d give you a hug,
I love you I’d say.
But for now there are memories,
That in my heart stay.
Forever and always,
They will never fade away.
I love and miss you,
With each passing day.
But I go to the garden.
I see your love that way.
The flowers you love
Are starting to bloom.
It’s a sign you are near
To spread joy not gloom.
I know you are with me
So I wipe away the tears.
Forever you’ll be near
To take away my fears.
As I look at the beauty,
In the flowers I see,
A beautiful mother,
Watching over me.
I wrote this poem for mom a few years ago. I know she is near, always in my heart.
My mom is the reason Lia and I are participating in the Alzheimer’s Fundraiser for the second year in a row. My mom passed away before Lia was born but when her mommy was young we would take her to visit my mom. Lia is always tending to mom’s memory garden adding the dropped rose petals around the angel statues. Alzheimer’s and Dementia are so painful to watch a loved one go through, to watch them slowly fade away, sometimes not remembering their loved ones. We were lucky, mom knew us up until the last time she closed her eyes, she couldn’t speak verbally be she spoke to us with her eyes. My hope is that Alzheimer’s will only be a memory of the past by the time Lia’s mom gets older.
Last year Lia’s Sunshine Bakery received $1780.00 in donations for her Alzheimer’s fundraising. So far this year in only four months she has received $800.00 in donations, half way to her goal! She had a week challenge in December where people who donated $10.00 they received a box of her homemade cookies, just in time for Christmas. She raised $225.00 in a week during her challenge! She’s also having a Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gift basket raffle which should be fun. If you want to follow Lia’s progress, here is her Alzheimer’s Fundraiser website: http://act.alz.org/goto/LiasSunshineBakery
Wishing mom a happy heavenly birthday, I love and miss you so much!
What a very nice writing tribute for your mom! Cool pictures right here. Just be assured that she’s now resting in peace.
Thanks Danwil, yes mom is now pain free and singing with the Angels as her memories live in my heart forever.
Happy Heavenly Birthday to your mother. I love how you share all the wonderful signs that she sends to you from Heaven. I know, she still watches over you and your family. Much love.
Thank you Brenda, yes I know mom is still with me even though it’s from above. She is signing with the Angels and enjoying the flowers in heaven. Hugs and love to you.
That is very sweet Martha!!! It’s incredible to see you sharing your mothers legacy with your grand daughter. My grandparents raised me, so I can only imagine the relationship you have with Lia.
Thanks for sharing.
Something about grandparents Jean, they are so special. My grandparent lived with us when I was growing up so when my mom and dad worked, gramma cared for me. I learned so much from her and when baking or sewing with Lia, all those memories from old come back. My hope is that Lia holds on to the memories and they pop back in her head as she raises a family!
Happy heavenly birthday to your mom!
What a sweet garden
Mine had the Parkinson’s dementia – she loved birds and crafting, puzzles and word games – she passed at 92 and my dad at 83 over a decade ahead of her.
He played piano and sang every evening, which helped keep her more clear and oriented.
Parkinson’s dementia is also a cruel disease Nadya. How sweet that your dad played the piano and sung to you mom. They are together once again and without pain.
Great paean to your mom. And, a discussion of the ravages of Alzheimer’s.
Thanks Roy, my mom is now enjoying her birthdays without pain.
Lovely tribute and lovely poems. Happy Heavenly Birthday to your Mom. She is always close by in the garden I’m sure.
Thank you Cheryl, I know she is always with me in my heart.
Martha, what an incredible gift to have had such a loving relationship with your mom. The angels, garden, poems, and memories no doubt comfort you and keep your love alive. You did your absolute best for her. Blessings to you!
Thank you Kebba. I love going to her garden, it’s so peaceful in the early morning when I “talk” to my mom. She was truly the best and I keep her alive in my heart.
What a tribute and beautiful pics.
I have been writing about caring for the dying the last two day with tears and fond memories.
May you continue to experience all the love and memories of your mother.
Even after mom being gone for 23 years, the tears never seem to stop. But I also have many happy tears with all the memories of my mom. Hugs to you Debra.
I would like to wish your mom a Happy Birthday she is in Heaven with my mom. I wonder if they’ve meet and are watching our accomplishments not only on our blogs but in our personal lives. As well as helping Lia with her Fundraiser. Which Charlie said she is doing amazing at. Have a good day and great weekend. #UBC rules.
I’m sure our moms are looking down, guiding us and praising how we both have done our best! thanks for visiting Glenda!