Nicole Robichaud, a lawyer and caregiver from Ottawa, shares her experience with a cherished family tradition revolving around a folk art calendar that has been a consistent Christmas gift for her mother for nearly three decades. The calendar, adorned with colorful paintings, held a special place in her mother’s heart, particularly enjoying the December snow-filled scenes.
In 2015, at the age of 68, Nicole’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a disease she had previously witnessed while caring for her own father. Despite the challenges of memory loss and cognitive decline, her mother remained positive and cheerful. Over the years, as the disease progressed, the family adapted to new living arrangements, eventually leading her mother to a wheelchair-bound state.
Despite her mother’s diminishing ability to engage with the calendar or even recognize its significance, Nicole continues the tradition of gifting it each year. The act of turning the pages and sharing the images with her mother, even though met with blank stares, provides a sense of purpose and continuity in their relationship. It serves as a way for Nicole to express her love and maintain a connection to family traditions.
For Nicole, the calendar symbolizes more than a simple gift; it represents her spiritual beliefs in the power of love and familial connections beyond physical limitations. In the face of the challenges posed by Alzheimer’s, the calendar offers a source of comfort, hope, and a reminder of the enduring bond between mother and daughter. Despite the hardships, Nicole looks forward to the next year, embracing the opportunity to continue this heartfelt tradition.
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