Remembering parent's life

[chicago]

What a neat thread.

My father used to always make up words, for various reasons. He never cursed real words, but would instead say things like: awjubunjasays, or dadnabit. He always called me weird things like: tawny-magawny-mabooty-mawooty. After he passed, almost 10 years ago (yikes-it's been that long ), I noticed that I'd start to say gibberish words in frustration or when I was surprised. In my classroom I'm always making up words. I usually do it to be silly, but I don't think about it- the gibberish just comes out.

I've also become quite the handyman with my home. My dad was a fantastic carpenter (he built our house when I was younger all by himself). I think he'd be proud.

Those things always makes me think of Dad. I miss him terribly still.

that made me cry I still miss my Dad too... I think we always will... but that's a good thing... we were lucky and got one of the good ones... and that's worth crying for

[singletrackmind]

Using mom's plants I've created several gardens in my yard. Gardening was her thing. I share pieces of those plants with others because that's what she did, share her gardens with anyone and everyone.

Every year this time my sisters and I volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association's Memory Walk in her honor.

[wackyjacky1]

Every year this time my sisters and I volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association's Memory Walk in her honor.

Same here. It is such a worthy cause. Ours is Oct. 11 this year.

[DebTX]

Thank you all for sharing these beautiful stories. This has been a very moving thread for me to read.

Deb

[Aggie_Ama]

Same here. It is such a worthy cause. Ours is Oct. 11 this year.

Thank you both. I lost my Great Grandma Ellen to the illness in 1989. She lived a full 88 years before the lights went out and luckily I was too young to really experience it. I was 8 when she died that hot July. All I remember is going to Wynn's (old general/ drug store) to get a bathing suit to swim at the old Lake House.

My Nanny has recently been diagnosed and it is so hard. She sometimes doesn't remember I am her granddaughter (I am often a niece). My dad she calls by his father's name. One day she didn't remember where my Pawpaw was (buried). I will do our walk/run next fall for my Nanny. I hate to say this but I hope her failing heart takes her before her mind can truly be taken. But I am not ready for either of those things, she seems so young but she is 76.