The More Painful Side to My Story
April 24, 2012 by Holly
The story I’m about to share with you is difficult for me to write. By now you are familiar with how I’m meeting the challenges of living with a spouse with dementia. I’m proud of the person I’m becoming because of it. What you don’t know is my other story– one that has to do with money and getting myself into a financial mess. There is so much shame and fear (far more than caregiving) surrounding it that it has taken me 3 years to write about it in public.
It is important to know...
[Read The Full Article]
Everyone Needs a Little Lovin’
January 15, 2012 by Holly
It is 4:45 a.m., my absolute favorite time of the day. I am sitting with my tea, a book and a little ‘ginger boy’ named Clive snuggling (and purring) on my chest. Two months ago this skinny 5-month old kitten showed up on our daughter, Amy’s doorstep looking for affection. She said he was more interested in staying in her arms than eating food. As it has turned out, we adopted him from Amy. We thought Clive needed a buddy so we rescued another little guy, Henry from a shelter....
[Read The Full Article]
Stepping out of my Comfort Zone–Overcoming Adversity
October 21, 2009 by Holly
I often wonder why I have trouble erasing certain events in my life–events which didn’t feel very good at the time and continue to haunt me today. For example, in grade 7, we were asked to stand up in class and the music teacher went up and down the rows while we sang a song. She tapped the chosen few on their shoulders to be in the choir. You can probably guess that I wasn’t chosen. Even today I am self-conscious about my singing and the only place you will hear me singing...
[Read The Full Article]
Great new book: Overcomers Inc.; true stories of hope,courage & inspiration
October 19, 2009 by Holly
Later this month a geat new book titled ‘Overcomers Inc.: True stories of hope, courage and inspiration’ is being released. Here is a summary of the book:
Overcomers, Inc: True stories of hope, courage, and inspiration will give readers the knowledge and emotional resilience to face the most difficult times of life by sharing inspiring stories of triumph.
You will find this a book of diversity. There are many authors, from many walks of life. However, they all share a common bond....
[Read The Full Article]
A story about enjoying the moment & our perception of it
October 4, 2009 by Holly
Last week a business partner of mine sent me this true story. I want to share it with you because it relates to one of the biggest lessons I am learning about living with my husband’s dementia–being present in the moment…
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning. A man with a violin plays six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people passed through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle-aged man...
[Read The Full Article]
Happy Anniversary Mum & Dad
September 3, 2009 by Holly
In my last post I shared the beautiful card I received from my husband, Dave, for our 31st Anniversary. I was away on business this week and when I came home there was another card waiting for me. It was from our children, Kyle and Amy. They are spending their summer working together at a fishing lodge on Langara Island, in the Queen Charlotte Islands–very close to the Alaskan border. I want to share this card to give you an idea of the journey that our children are on while living with...
[Read The Full Article]
To My Beautiful Wife
August 28, 2009 by Holly
Thirty one years ago, August 25th, I was walking down the aisle on the arm of my Dad, to marry the kindest man I have ever met—my husband, Dave.
Our anniversary, which was a few days ago, turned out to be one I will never forget. I want to share a card Dave picked out, and signed with x’s and o’s.
On the front cover was…To My Beautiful Wife and on the inside it said…
Somewhere between all the places we need to be
And all the things we need to do
Are those special times that belong...
[Read The Full Article]
Surrendering to Dementia
August 16, 2009 by Holly
Usually when I sit down to write a post or an article, my head gets in the way. I begin editing and thinking too hard and the words don’t flow easily. I am slowly understanding why it happens–the first step to curing it. It is about ‘surrendering’ or letting go of the process of writing. I need to stop worrying about what readers will think, and just write.
In fact, surrendering is a word which has taken on a whole different meaning since my husband, Dave, was diagnosed...
[Read The Full Article]
Weaving Nature into Our Life with Dementia
July 17, 2009 by Holly
Since my husband, Dave, was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia a couple of years ago, it seems that every day my life is filling with lessons and stories. I honestly believe that when we are facing painful, dark experiences, there are good reasons for them, often taking some time to surface.
This morning, I was having writer’s block, wondering which story to share with you today, so I laced up my running shoes, and went for a run to clear my mind.
It isn’t long before I am feeling my body...
[Read The Full Article]
Enriching a Life with Dementia
June 30, 2009 by Holly
It has been 2 years since my husband, Dave, 59, was officially diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD)and it has taken me this long to write about our experiences. We have been married for 31 years and our life has changed dramatically in a very short period. Before I begin a series of stories and tips on how Dave and I have enriched our life despite dementia, I wanted to share a 2 Part post on what I have learned about Frontotemporal Dementia. It will help you to understand why Dave, or...
[Read The Full Article]
