Author: AMF-Admin

Chapter 41: Breaking Point September 8, 2024 PRESENT DAY NOTE FROM ANOUSHKA: This was probably the hardest post for me to write to date.  The realization that “things can’t go on like this” was absolutely devastating – and terrifying.  If you are a caregiver who is experiencing anything similar, please ask for help!  Hopefully the…

Chapter 40: Birthdays Belated August 24, 2024 Today was a fun day – we finally hosted the long-awaited, rescheduled joint 75th birthday party for mom and dad at our place.  The party wasn’t a surprise, but the main gift from our family was.  And it was great to see mom and dad so happy with…

Chapter 39: When Dreams Become Nightmares October 15, 2025 What’s that saying – I can’t win for losing?  It feels impossible to catch a break.  Immediately after mom died, it felt like I might never sleep again, because all my mind could do was replay the trauma and horror of “that morning” over and over. …

Chapter 38: Reassessment August 22, 2024 Dad and I have been talking for a few weeks now about mom’s loss of interest in…well, a lot of things.  She also seems quite reluctant to leave the house of her own volition.  We decided that it might be time for a reassessment of whether or not we…

Chapter 37: Birthday Without the Happy July 19, 2024 Growing up, birthdays were a BIG DEAL in our family.  Every year without fail, mom would grant my sister and me the honourary title of “Queen for the Day” on our special September and November days.  And after the fun of presents and any other special…

Chapter 36: Thanksgiving…? October 13, 2025 Today is the Thanksgiving holiday in Canada.  Given the state of the world and the fact that I was born in an amazing country, I know I should be grateful for so many things, but “thankfulness” seems like too big of an ask right now.  I’ve resolved to at…

Chapter 35: Roller Coaster Week May 26, 2024 I’m not sure that I am ever going to fully adjust to how “new life with mom” puts me through the emotional wringer.  I mean, stressed and worried is my new baseline – I just have to live with that.  However, I wasn’t prepared for how tired…

Chapter 34: Uncomfortable Observations April 20, 2024 Well, I guess mom is living with something that is not going to allow us to stay in denial.  The observations are becoming…deeply uncomfortable. During my morning and evening calls to mom, I always ask if she has taken her medications.  And – apparently I can’t always trust…

Chapter 33: One-Month Anniversary September 29, 2025 Today was a real mixed bag – equal parts comforting, incredibly sad, and somewhat relieving; but overall, incredibly exhausting.  The weather seemed to match everyone’s mood – it was cool, windy, and generally quite gloomy.  Maybe that helped?  It really didn’t seem like a day for celebration, so…

Chapter 32: Small Victory Accomplished! April 16, 2024 Well, if the journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step… Last month, I talked mom and dad into letting me get our family friend, who is a real estate agent, to set up a search for new listings in seniors’ condo complexes in town.…