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
“Hello, Bonnie,” I would often say. “Hello, darling,” she might often reply. I knew Bonnie Leyton in a variety of contexts over a large number of years, but I saw her most often over the… 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
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
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