Goal Oriented

So, am I giving just too much information or rambling about odd details that don’t really matter to anyone but the ones in that particular moment? I had two goals when I began this blog and I try to make sure that what I post is in line with those goals. Goal #1 was to give you all an awareness and insight into the insidious and sad disease that affects someone you know and if you are in any way related to an Ashley, may affect you. Goal #2 was to provide to you an ongoing connection to the mother, sister, aunt and friend that you knew as a vibrant, sassy woman. If you choose to remember her only by that description, you are probably not tuning in to this blog. But if you are, then you have selected to continue to share in this journey as you have shared in so many of her other adventures, experiences and journeys. You celebrated with her, you mourned with her and you traveled the roads with her. As she travels this road, I have tried to keep those two goals in mind.

The original question at the beginning of this blog was prompted by some recent plans that have fallen together to take Mom to Louisiana to see Uncle Dick and Aunt Elaine. As it turns out, Aunt Dolly and Judy will be there the same weekend. As I thought about these people not having seen Mom for a year or more, it occurred to me that what I have written here may have somewhat prepared them to not expect the sister, the “Mother Superior”, that they knew and loved.

I hope those to whom we sent a Valentine, received them. It was while we were preparing those and the previous envelopes that Joe and I began talking about taking her to see Uncle Dick and Aunt Elaine – a day’s drive from us. Mom has been so very confused about her family, easily telling that she is the oldest of 12 but totally unable to tell me who the other 11 are. The fact that two of her sister’s, her brother and her sister-in-law will be there makes me hope that she will in some way make the connection to faces and memories and know that belongs to a bigger picture. Aunt Dolly did say that she and Aunt Judy were going to come to my house before they knew that we could go to Louisiana. And that is certainly an open invitation! However, I don’t know that Mom would make the same connection as if we took her there. From her perspective, she could likely think that they just came to visit the lady who makes her change her underwear!

So, back to those goals: the sad cruelty of Alzheimer’s and the support that companions on this journey give her – and us. I did say that writing this has been therapeutic, but this is not about me – or Joe – or our children and grandchildren; only in how it all relates to Mom. I hope that as you read the blogs that you feel as though you are with her across the miles and that you have come, and continue to come to an awareness of Alzheimer’s and how it could affect you as well as someone you love. Pray for a cure.