26 Comments
User's avatar
Jane Price's avatar

Beautiful words "The pain I’m feeling is proof that I’m alive. It’s evidence of my love. Of my mother’s love."

Jo Dwyer's avatar

Terribly sad but oh my god, so beautifully written. Two decades ago, I lost my mother suddenly and it essentially broke me for a full year before I fully recovered. At the time I thought sudden death was the most difficult to deal with yet now I realize, especially after reading this, that watching someone you dearly love disappear is much harder. My heart goes out to you, LaDonna.

Ryū Baldoquín's avatar

Beautiful❣️. Deep gratitude for hearing your voice. And holding our busted hearts in light, love and joy.

Amra Brooks's avatar

my heart to yours. so moving. the photos are wonderful.

LaDonna Witmer's avatar

Ugh. Thank you. This was an ugly cry sort of write.

Deborah J. Stein's avatar

Oh LaDonna--I wish I could give you a big long hug right now if for nothing else to lean into your broken heart and feel it still beating. Every sentence you've created toward the whole of a life and a loss, this is such an incredible and moving image of dementia and what else gets lost in its path and wake. Sending you all the love and thank you for this.

LaDonna Witmer's avatar

One of these days, Deb, I know we will get to give each other a big long hug. Much love to you.

Michael TenBrink's avatar

I think—I’ve always thought—that your writing about your mom is some of your very best. This one is no different. I actually was thinking while I was reading it that there may be a book in there. This is, most unfortunately, a story that so many people can relate to for personal reasons. I think there would be a market for such a book. XX

Sandi R.'s avatar

I wish I could (with your permission) hold your hand for a moment. Instead, I offer a virtual 🫂

Bebee's avatar

So very tenderly and deeply felt and shared. Sending you love.

Sarah's avatar

Oh Lo. Fuck. It's 8:04am and I was on my way out the door to get my customary latte, and I saw you had a new post, so I read it and I'm crying but also, WOW this is amazing. Your writing, which was brilliant when I met you ten thousand years ago, just gets better all the time.

The photos of Sue and Dave make my heart ache. I want to make it all better for both of them. I love your mom and dad, and as always, you. Now I'm going to get my latte and not cry all the way down the High Street because the English do NOT approve of abject sorrow. XO

JackieC's avatar

💗💋 Love is all.

Julia Attalla's avatar

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Sandra Miller's avatar

so bittersweet, such lovely writing. I leaned forward with you. I lost my daddy to dementia xo

Cynthia Wolf's avatar

I rarely wear mascara anymore and, damn it, I picked the wrong day.

Caroline Leonardo's avatar

You’ve got me crying in my coffee cup this morning. Great photo of Sue and Dave, I love to see their faces. ❤️ There’s a lot of courage in your honesty, not only in your writing but in your willingness to bear all that life has to offer. I love you Lo.

LaDonna Witmer's avatar

Love you right back, my friend.

glen's avatar

No words of encouragement...just tears. Swell picture, hold it close to your breaking heart...

Nicole Morris's avatar

This broke my heart a little too. Thank you for that.