Later Stages

Simple Gestures

September 12, 2018



I've been thinking a lot lately.  


I've been thinking that I will never hear my mom say these sentences to me, by herself, again . . . . 

I love you!

I am so thankful for you!

Thank you for all you do!

I missed you!

I'm so glad that you are here!

I need your help!


It's sad, but it's true. It makes me sad that my mom isn't able to express herself anymore. She has stopped texting me her "I love you" texts, for awhile now, too. Texting was the last way she was writing/telling me, "I love you".

She is able to show me these things in SMALL GESTURES though, and I'm thankful that she is still able to do that. 

My mom shows me her huge big smile and laugh when she sees me. That smile and laugh shows me that she is happy to see me.

We always have a routine where we go to my mom's room first, before we leave somewhere. My mom will put her arm around me first, and squeeze my arm a few times, while we are walking to her room. This is one of the only gestures my mom will do right now that expresses to me her love and appreciation. I always hold onto this gesture, and appreciate it. I know I have a smile on my face when she does this to me, because I notice it every time. It is one of the only gestures, that my mom is able to do, to show her love for me.

I have learned that you will never, ever, fully appreciate something, in it's entirety, until it's the last thing you have left or until it's gone. I never knew how valuable a simple gesture is until now.

Simple gestures are bigger than you think. So big.

Next time someone touches you, squeezes you, gives you a giant hug, gives you a high five. . .  notice it and embrace it!

I'm so thankful for the simple gestures in life! 

Simple gestures are all that we have left now, because of Dementia! 

Simple gestures mean so much, when it comes to Dementia!



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