We knew Tuesday was going to be difficult, and it was. Tuesday marked the anniversary of the death of my mother-in-law, Julita Muzychka. It’s been three years since Martha’s much-loved mom died, and while it’s… Read More
It was a crisp winter evening, right after work, and I had just arrived at my parents’ house in St. John’s. I knew instantly that my mother was out of sorts. “You!” she cried out…. Read More
The call came in around 3 in the morning, and we were sound asleep. It was a nurse, telling me my mom had fallen in her bathroom. It was a Sunday morning, and ordinarily, I… Read More
Most Saturday mornings, we head over to Mom’s for a visit, with a purpose. This is the time when Martha, my wife, gives my mother, Sheila Gushue, a manicure complete with polish. It’s relaxed, it’s… Read More
Several times this year alone, I’ve spoken with people who have had to deal with an issue that can be a defining moment in a family: surrendering a driver’s licence. Driving can get more complicated… Read More
Even before I started reading up on dementia in early 2024, when my mother’s Alzheimer’s was presenting itself, I knew about the phenomenon of wanting to go home. I heard about it from friends, who… Read More
My mobile phone rang, and my mom’s name was on the screen. It was almost a couple of hours after she went to bed, so I quickly prepared myself for whatever prompted her to call. … Read More
There are many songs that came out of the British invasion, but there’s one — a veritable anthem to this day for football fans in the United Kingdom — that often comes to mind when… Read More
It might seem unusual, but I’ve been leaning into the main rule of improvisational comedy as a way of helping my mom, especially in moments when her Alzheimer’s disease is posing a challenge. A few… Read More
“I’m not somebody who ever has regrets — I’m a great believer in doing things with the best of intentions, and then you learn rather than regret. There are lots of things I’ve learned by… Read More
I can tell my mom’s mood from 20 paces. I often see her in the corridor, leaning on her walker, and she turns as she hears me call her name. Her face might break your… Read More