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Last month's journaling challenge - and update.

QuiltyMom

QuiltyMom

I'll never run out of things to do!
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Feb 3, 2012
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(oops - that's supposed to say "an update!")

For last month's journaling challenge I interviewed my Mom. She's quickly slipping into dementia and it's been very hard to see happen, so I decided I needed to get as much information from her as I could while she still remembered.

Let me tell you - it really flustered her. It took a while during two phone calls to get the answers I got from her. She told me to send her a list so she could read them and have time to think about them, something I still need to do.

Well, when I talked with her tonight - in the midst of having the same repeated conversation - she suddenly said, "So, do what questions do you have for me? I'll answer one for you." I was astonished that she'd remember about the questions, and also that she'd even bring it up! I ran upstairs to my computer and typed as she answered (I got 4 out of her!). Woohoo!

On another note ... She's also been looking through the two paper albums I made for her 50th wedding anniversary. I had friends and family write a letter to my parents and send a photo to add, and reading the letters and looking at the photos again are having a significant impact on her memory as well. Let's hear it for the power of scrapbooks! Keep up the good work!
 
yay for the power of scrapbooks! - that's wonderful to hear Jan - it must be so hard but knowing your scrapbooking and their letters touch her enough to be remembered during her lucid moments would make them all the more special
 
Oh Jan, how wonderful that she remembered and you were able to get some questions answered! And it's great that she's been enjoying the albums.
 
My mother had Alzheimer's for about 5 years before she went to heaven. It was heartbreaking! You are sooo smart to interview her now. One day, I was visiting her and she was confused about which of her grandchildren were mine. I told her and she knew who my daughter was but didn't remember my son. Broke my heart. Then about 3 months before she passed, she said "how is Kevin" and "does he have a girlfriend" I told her that he was living with his sweetheart, Amy and was very much in love with her. She was so happy that he had someone to love. I was so happy that she remembered him!
 
That is a heartwarming story that she remembered and you got to get more questions in! Hugs, it's rough sometimes. This must have been a wonderful conversation!
 
That is so fantastic that you have these treasured memories from her, but that they also are helping her memory too! Yay for scrapbooking! I KNOW I'm going to need my own scrapbook to remember things as I age.... I already do sometimes!
 
This is a fantastic story to hear first thing in the morning. I LOVE this. And love that she is using the book you made for her from their anniversary. So heart warningly beautiful. Thank you for sharing Jan! :beat
 
Now THAT is a fantastic update! You must have felt so wonderful when she asked you about questions for her!
 
So encouraging. We all forget stuff at times and I agree, my scrapbooks have already helped jog my memory so yes, I agree! Yay for scrapbooking!
 
How wonderful that your scrapping was able to help with her memory. Dementia is so sad and so difficult to deal with. We went through it with my MIL. This is such a great reminder of one of the reasons we do what we do. Thank you for sharing!!
 
That is such a wonderful story, Jan. So glad that scrapbooking is helping your mom with her memory!
 
That is so wonderful!! That must have been such a great surprise! I pray that this happens agaon and again!! Even if it just one question at a time, it will be amazing!
 
((hugs)) I know how hard this is, as it is in my family too. Thanks for sharing with us!
 
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