To my readers: A note about occasional faith references that are within the With Grace story: The faith language contained in some posts under the With Grace topic is an integral part of my mother’s story and that is the context in which I share it. If it differs from your faith tradition or spirituality, I […]
In Part 1, I relayed two stories about strangers who offered the joy of connection during periods of difficulty and crisis. Today’s post is about opportunities for connection that exist in everyday interactions. You’re Going to Need a New Chicken I was at Joseph’s, one of our favorite neighborhood markets and in a rush. On […]
Strangers Who Understand (Time Period: Within the last ten months of my mother’s life, under hospice care.) Dinner was about to be served and it was time to wrap up our visit. As Jess and I were on our way out, we turned to see Gabriel wheeling Mom to the head of the table. Rather […]
A New View About six months ago, I was talking with three of my coach friends from Connecticut. We’ve been “meeting virtually” on a monthly basis for many years and long before Zoom existed. I was in the midst of giving an update on a project that, for a variety of reasons, was taking longer […]
(Time Period: About two years after moving to the care home.) Gabriel answered the door with a warm smile. As he walked me into the family room, he gave me the report: “Grace had a restless night.” Though she could no longer walk on her own, Mom often managed to get herself out of bed […]
During the first few weeks of visiting Mom in the group home, I noticed how each of the residents was at a different stage, in terms of the progression of dementia. Along the U-shape of reclining chairs in the family room, Arlene and Elizabeth were the two ladies who sat across from Mom and Shirley. […]
On Saturday mornings, I’d arrive at Mom’s and we’d go sit in her private room while her caregivers vacuumed and picked up the house. Her room was very pleasant, well-lit by natural sunlight and with a window overlooking the pool – “the oceanfront room,” as Tim and Cristina, the owners of the group home, lightheartedly […]
The Two Questions I Asked God One Day It was October 2018 and one month prior to taking my sabbatical. I sensed we were approaching the end of our chapter in Arizona and that the momentum was about to pick up on a potential move to Florida.
Greetings to you, my friends, and all good wishes for the new year and this new decade. It’s been 15 months since I wrote to you and shared my plans for sabbatical (see: Following the Current). Even as I announced a six-month sabbatical, I had the feeling it would be a full year. Toward the end […]
We’re Moving Prior to our Alaska trip this past August, my husband Jess and I had taken one other cruise (in the Caribbean); but since that was many years ago, the details of what it’s like to be at sea had faded. As the ship departed from Vancouver, I was seated in a meeting room, […]