Today was my father’s birthday. John (Corky) Warren would have been 95 today, but he died 2 years ago in August 2013. I was very lucky to have such wonderful parents who provided love and support for me and my two brothers and two sisters all our lives. Although he is now gone, I miss him and think of him frequently, especially today.
It’s a shame that my Mom doesn’t even realize that he’s been away now for about 3 years since he was with her. However, it’s actually a blessing that she doesn’t know he died since Alzheimer’s has taken her memory away (even after being married almost 70 years ago). But she still knows that she loves her children and tells us every time we visit with her.
Recently my Mom celebrated her 95th birthday! My sister, brother, and brother-in-law were able to be there for Mother’s Day and her birthday. Unfortunately, I was away at that time for a Viking River Cruise on the Rhine in Germany.
I was sorry that I couldn’t be with her on this special day, but with Alzheimer’s, she’s not really aware of dates anyway. However, they shared these photos, including chocolate candy, birthday cake and card, hugs and kisses, smiles and laughter. She never thought that she would live this long. I love you, Mom!
Happy Birthday to your mom! My dad’s also not in the realm with me but we both know our dad’s are very nearby anyway! Thanks for sharing this very personal family event with us!
What a nice birthday, and to celebrate a 95th b-day is amazing! She may not be aware of dates, etc, but deep down she knows you all move her and that’s what is most important. My mother just celebrated her 75th birthday–in a nursing home with serious dementia (not quite Alzheimers). She always knows her kids and grandkids by name but will tell me how nice my blouse looks several times. I got to spend Mom’s day in Spokane with my mother-in-law who is in Assisted care. She forgets a lot but she wows her fellow residents with her German and Spanish!
She lights up every time I visit, and it really makes her day special. You do hear how much she loves you repeatedly. It’s interesting how other residents will resort to their native languages. Earlier a Mexican woman who was attached to my mother and her kindness always kept babbling in Spanish but she’s no longer there. The other day when visiting her, a new lady came over to her and started going on and on in Italian. My mother tried to follow her, and finally just said “It will be OK” and threw her hands up! Earlier she used to always try to help others who were confused, anxious, or distressed, and she was nice and friendly to everybody so she was a lightning rod that attracted them. But now she’s beyond that stage, but she’s still just as happy and pleasant as always. My Mom has now been there in Memory Care for almost 7 years!