 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
In Memory of Mom
“TWO MOTHERS”
I had two Mothers…Two Mothers I claim,
Two different people…Yet with the same name;
Two separate women…Diverse by design,
But I loved them both…Because they were mine;
The first was the Mother…who carried me here,
Gave birth and nurtured…And launched my career;
She was the one…Whose features I bear,
Complete with the facial…Expression I wear;
She gave me some music …Which follows me yet,
Along with examples…In life that she set;
Then as I got older…She grew younger,
And we’d laugh as just Mother…and daughters can do;
But then came the year…That her mind clouded so,
And I sensed that the Mother…I’d known would soon go;
So quickly she changed…And turned into the other,
A stranger who dressed…In the clothes of my Mother;
Oh, she looked the same…At least at arm’s length,
But she was a child now…And I was her strength;
We’d come full circle…We women three,
My Mother the first…The second and me;
And if my own children…Should come to a day,
When a new Mother comes…And the old goes away;
I’d ask of them nothing…That I didn’t do,
Love both your Mothers…As both have loved you!
---------------__ANONYMOUS ---------------
Written by Diane Christopher
ALZHEIMER’S
How cold and cruel this disease can be….
Taking away a person’s strength and dignity….
Turning a once active human being into a shell….
Letting strangers take away their homes to sell….
Slowing them down to a pace they cannot understand….
Making them feel like less of a woman or less of a man….
Hopelessly, aimlessly and lost they wander….
Seeking answers that never come….
Trying so hard to remember days lost forever….
Gone the stars…gone the moon…gone the sun….
Dear Lord please send your angels down from Heaven above….
Watch over them…protect them…and shower them with Your love.
Diane L. Christopher
Dedicated to my Mother whom I lost to this horrible disease on April 22, 2006.
diane22@roadrunner.com
Alzheimers Disease…….What’s It Really Like?
I would like to dedicate this in Honor of my Beloved Mother, diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease, who passed away last April 22, 2006. Just exactly how many people are familiar with this horrible disease? Some may say they have never heard of it. Others may say it’s “hardening of the arteries.” Some may even say it’s just old age “creeping in.” But, the real truth of the matter is, it’s the most debilitating, demoralizing,
destructive, and devastating disease within existence.
Does anyone really know what a person with this disease goes through?
How they spend their hours, their days, their nights, their very existence? Just once, we should try and view the world through their eyes. Just once, we should walk the path they walk. And just once, we should be told we can no longer live on our own. That we are incapable of taking proper care of ourselves.
The trouble is everyone is too busy and too caught up in their own daily lives to feel the pain, the anguish, the fears and tears of a person with this disease . “There but by the Grace of God go I.” Please take a moment to just think about it, as this world they now exist in is very confusing, dark, lonely and at times, almost completely void of reality as we know it. To a person with this disease the world can be a pretty frightening place. A clouded, distorted view of life free of warmth, free of past comforts, and even at times free of love because of lack of understanding.
What have we brought into this world? Nothing! What can we take out of this world when we leave it? Nothing! Just once try to put yourselves in their place. Try once to experience first hand the frustration, the emptiness, and the heartache that fills their day each and every day.
When was the last time you had to have someone feed you, or the last time you had to have someone dress you, or bathe you? Or comb your hair , or for that matter, brush your teeth? This is merely the beginning as the real heartbreaker is when they can no longer walk or talk, or even swallow their food. Sound horrifying? It is!! Once again, “There but by the Grace of God go I.”
Please try and think long and hard. Please try thinking with your hearts and not your schedules. Please try to take out one hour a week, one hour every two weeks, or possibly just one hour a month. Go and visit a Facility where residents with Alzheimers Disease reside. There is no cost….it’s free. The only thing is it may possibly cost you is a smile, a hug, or a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Perhaps just a listening ear, or a tender loving and caring heart. The rewards reaped will be monumental.
Remember 911? Who could ever forget? But, as the days passed, people seemed to do exactly that. We all returned to our old lives, our old ways of living and our busy schedules. Please don’t let this happen here. The time is here and now. Please give of yourselves, your understanding, your love, your time, and put a smile back upon one face, put back a song within one heart and maybe even wipe away one tear or two from a pair of tired eyes. You will be so very much the richer. But most of all, you will fill someone else’s life with warmth and make a difference in someone’s life that otherwise was quite cold and empty.
May God continue to bless them and you.
Maybe this will help if even in a small way…….it is my contribution to all those out there suffering from this disease. And to all the loved ones and friends who are caregivers.
Diane L. Christopher
Please dear Heavenly Father
I come to you in urgent prayer
Please let me tell her I love her
Please let me tell her I care
I may never have that chance again.
Please dear Heavenly Father
Let me hold her in my arms once more
Let me gently caress her angelic face
Before God opens heaven’s door
I may never have that chance again.
Please dear Heavenly Father
Let me whisper in her ear
Let me hold her hand and kiss her cheek
And chase away all sorrow and fear
I may never have that chance again.
Please dear Heavenly Father
Let me reach out to people everywhere
And show them love and give them love
Each and every day throughout the year
I may never have that chance again.
Diane L Christopher©
19 April 2005
Dedicated to my Beautiful Mother, Betty J. Smith.
Mom passed away on April 22, 2006. She was a
resident at a Nursing Facility in Williamsville, New York.
Her memory was taken from her, her dignity stolen from
her. Her entire world as she once knew it changed forever
in the mere "Blink of an Eye." A "Thief" by the name of
"Alzheimer" moved in to stay...
May God continue to bless all those afflicted with this
destructive and debilitating disease.
With Everlasting love and Eternal Devotion, Diane
There is a very special lady
Her years number ninety-four
Every year around Christmastime
She makes her cookies galore.
She bakes and bakes with all her heart
She bakes from morning till night
Grinding figs and frosting cut outs
Her finished product is a pure delight.
The people she gives out to, number far too many
And because she is so sweet - she rarely saves any
Sons, daughters, close relatives and friends
Grandchildren, doctor, her list never ends.
This lady whose years number ninety-four
Expects so very little and gives so much more
You can search far and wide but you'll never find
A lady so caring.... A lady so kind.
So, the next time you drive down Efner Street
Make sure you stop in and say hello
And see the lady from the west side
In a city by the name of Buffalo.
This lady is special..this lady is rare
She's my mother-in-law and none can compare
Her many wonderful qualities and loving ways
Are far too many to sum up within just one day.
So, I send my love each and every day
With heartfelt gratitude along the way
You can search north, south, east and west
But there is only one Cookie Lady and Nellie’s the best!!!!!
Diane L. Christopher
Tears still fall Even tho' it's been over a year Tears still fall As visions of you continues to appear. Tears still fall Even tho' the sky remains blue Tears still fall As I still terribly miss you. Tears still fall Each and every day of the year Tears still fall As your voice I still hear. Tears still fall As time slowly passes by Tears still fall For my love for you will never die. Tears still fall As I think of you each day The way we laughed…the way we cried Now you've gone so far away. Tears still fall As your picture I hold close to my heart Tears still fall As I prayed we'd never part. Tears still fall As I gaze upon my back door Tears still fall Listening for footsteps, I hear no more. Tears still fall Yes, it's been over a year Tears still fall Please God whisper in her ear. Tears still fall Life will never be quite the same Tears still fall As I watch the falling rain. Tears still fall As your sweet smile I still see Tears still fall For all eternity!
"Our Sweet Angel" We miss you so much Momma…and your "Precious Love" That we’ll forever share, God Bless you, "Our Sweet Angel"…is our daily prayer; We’ll always remember "Your Lovely Smile"…and " Beautiful Face," Within our Hearts you’ll forever have, a "Very Special Place;" With "heart-felt Feelings," so very "Sincere," We think of you each day and shed many "Tears;" We talk to you quite often and each word We know you hear, As every second you enjoy "God’s Love and Peace"… Free of pain and fear; We pray for you daily. As we await that "Very Special Day," As God once again reunites us, when we journey "Heaven’s Way!" I dedicate this to my Mother-in-Law who passed away on April 22, 2006, From Alzheimer Disease. Philip Christopher August 7, 2007
Life is truly a challenge and we learn to give and take, See it "Through the Eyes of Love"…what a difference it can make; So many Elderly people hurting…it's so difficult to understand, See their "Smiles and Precious Glow"…when you give a helping hand; See the "Precious Little Children" as they happily play, Always Love and Hug them, each and every day; See the "Squirrels and Rabbits" always zipping along, Hear the sound of "Doves" with their Sweet Love Song; The "Beauty of Nature" when Flowers begin to grow, Give them "Water and Sunshine" and a "Rainbow of Colors" they'll show; Try your best to see Life…"Through the Eyes of Love" God will surely Smile and Bless us from Above! Philip D. Christopher A very Special Love and from Heart to Heart, A bond so strong, from the very start; A precious baby, receiving Motherly Love, As God smiled on them, from the Heavens above; She blossomed into a beautiful woman, as she did grow, Forever, her "Mother's Little Girl"…they both did know; Two beautiful people…each different in a special way, Yet so much alike…loving each other more each day; A world so very beautiful…many treasures beyond compare, Though not half as precious, as the love, a Mother and Daughter share! Philip D. Christopher
My precious Momma lost to Alzheimer Disease on April 22, 2006, and my devoted husband Phil
A PARENT'S WISH
Dear Alzheimer Association:
Re: ParentsWish.com
I personally came across this site on the Internet that I strongly would
recommend for all Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Senior Housing and especially Alzheimer Facilities. I lost my precious Mother to Alzheimers Disease on April 22, 2006.
I feel the elderly deserve the utmost love, care and understanding. And I also feel they deserve to live out the remainder of their
days upon this earth, with the utmost respect and dignity.
Please view the slideshow especially on this video. I promise you
will be moved beyond belief. I know I surely was. Maybe, it could
be used for orientation for new employees. Or possibly
In-Service or any other place where the need is felt. I am
presently on the list to receive the CD when it becomes available.
I would truly love to hear from you. Thank you. And May God
Richly Bless You. I pray we see a cure for this horrible disease
within our lifetime.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Diane L. Christopher
diane22@roadrunner.com
A touching and poignant slideshow of a parents' wish during their old age...
Recommended viewing for children whose parents suffer from old age diseases (parkinsons, alzheimers, dementia, etc.)
http://www.parentswish.com/
Alzheimers Stamp
ATTENTION PLEASE: This article was printed in the Northeast Area Update, Volume 6, Number 12, December 2007 Edition. Update is published by the Northeast Area Public Affairs and CommunicationsCenter. Northeast Area Update 2007 United States Postal service:
GENERATING ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS
POSTAL SERVICE TO ISSUE AWARENESS STAMP IN 2008
Postmaster General Jack Potter announced last month, on the first day of both National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month and National Family Caregivers month, the Postal Service will issue a stamp next year to help raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.
“With the Alzheimer’s Awareness commemorative stamp, we’ll ask Americans to use the power of mail to raise awareness about this tragic disease,” said Potter. “We hope to draw attention to the causes of the disease, the impact it has on individuals, caregivers and society, and how research may eventually lead to treatments that prevent or halt the progression of the disease.”
For the stamp image, art director Ethel Kessler worked with illustrator Matt Mahurin to draw attention to the importance of caregivers in the lives of those who have the disease. “For the person with Alzheimer’s, that interaction with the caregiver means everything.”
Three words – care, support, research – will appear in the upper-right corner of the stamp sheet.
I encourage everyone to please purchase these stamps when they become available in 2008. And help millions that have been afflicted by this devastating disease and for the millions that will suffer in days to come. God Bless You! And may God bless all of those out there afflicted by this disease.
I want to personally thank Kathy Siggins from Maryland who spent years of dedication, collecting signatures, passing around petitions and also extending herself in many other areas for this cause. God Bless You Kathy and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your efforts were not in vain.
DIANE L. CHRISTOPHER
This Is Worth Thinking About!
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived at the doctor's office to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
Knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I took his vital signs and told him to take a seat. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not really that busy with another patient, I would at least evaluate his wound. On quick examination, I saw it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a
hurry. The gentleman told me "No"`that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she
had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'
He smiled and he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, - but I stilll know who she is.'
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'
True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message.
This one I thought I could share with you.
Oh, by the way, peace is seeing a sunset and knowing whom to thank.
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did.'
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."
--------ANONYMOUS---------
Your Mother
Your Mother is always with you.
She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street,
She's the smell of certain foods you remember,
flowers you pick
and perfume that she wore,
She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well,
She's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep,
the colors of a rainbow,
She is Christmas morning.
Your Mother lives inside your laughter.
And she's crystallized in every tear drop.
A mother shows every emotion...
happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger,
helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow...
and all the while, hoping and praying
you will only know the good feelings in life.
She's the place you came from, your first home,
and she's the map you follow with every step you take.
She's your first love,
your first friend,
even your first enemy,
but nothing on earth
can separate you.
Not time, not space... not even death!
May we never take our mothers for granted.
~Author Unknown~
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SimpleSite is such fun and easy to use!
|
|
|
|
Hi!
Try to make your own website just like me.
It's easy, and you can do it absolutely free.
AD
|