Thank you for being here.
I was raised by a mother who had the boundless energy of Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh and the unmistakable charisma of Mary Poppins. She filled every room with joy, laughter, music, and a sense of wonder that made childhood feel a little more magical. She didn’t just remind us of a storybook character—she lived the part authentically every day. She even sings like a bird!
About Me
As the second oldest of four siblings, I grew up in a family rooted in love, faith, and close relationships. Today, three of the four siblings live in Lynchburg, Virginia. Our oldest sister, Marianne, transitioned to Heaven in 2021. Marianne was the clone of Mom’s personality in our family, and I never tried to fill her shoes. She possessed gifts and talents all her own, while I often considered myself her complete opposite.
Life has a way of leading us into roles we never expected. I never imagined I would one day have the opportunity to care for my mother full-time. Yet that is exactly where my journey has led me. Today, I have the privilege of supporting my father and my younger siblings by serving alongside with my father caring for our mother. My father is 84 years young, and my sister and brother continue to work full-time, and despite life’s many changes, we remain a close-knit family.
One lesson I’ve learned through this experience is that dementia affects every individual differently. While the disease has changed many things, it has not erased the essence of who my mother is. The joy that sits deep within her heart continues to shine through, even when words fail her or short-term memories slip away. Though she may be unable to speak as she once did or recall what has been lost, the light within her remains unmistakable.
Throughout my life, I rarely saw my mother angry. She was patient with her children and loving toward my father. Gratitude seemed woven into her very nature. Even today, she continues to express appreciation for every person who visits her, serves her, prays with her, or simply spends time in her presence.
Our family considers this a tremendous blessing. Dementia may alter memories and abilities, but it has not diminished the kindness, gratitude, and joy that define my mother. Caring for her has deepened my appreciation for the woman who raised us and has given me a front-row seat to the enduring power of love, faith, and family.
This blog is a reflection of that journey—one daughter’s experience caring for a remarkable mother, honoring her story, and sharing the lessons learned along the way.
Martha
“Love never ends.”
1 Corinthians 13:8
