so sorry, ladonna. not pity or sympathy, but understanding. your beautiful writing expresses your feelings so clearly and made me remember all the dynamics of my mother's journey with this terrible
damn it...you made me cry again ;-( My mom didn't fade away, but she left way too soon (I was only 35). you have good memories (as do I), hold them tight, very tight and those won't fade away, they never fade away...YOU are a good daughter LaDonna, you love your mother, hold that tight too ;-) And, you are such a fucking great writer!
Dec 14, 2023·edited Dec 14, 2023Liked by LaDonna Witmer
Love this "using words to pin my heart to a page and thereby make some sense of it." Yes and those of us who read you, at least me..... I, too, am pined to the page by my heart. Thank you. We get what we get and it's slightly or hugely different and yet, somehow, the same for all of us humans.
I'm a fan of your writing, but I think this is your best piece yet.
"Remember when she was a Zookeeper?" would be a wonderful title for a book of stories about this part of your life. Just a suggestion, but I think it would help so many people.
Such a gut-wrenching, yet beautiful post. Your words hit hard, but land softly on my heart. Though you are physcially far away, we are here for you and so grateful you have opened up this journey to us.
I am currently living this with my mother. She lived this with her mother too and was terrified it would come for her. I'm a little glad she rarely remembers that she can't remember. That she confidently states things that never happened because occasionally they are hilarious and a little bit of me loves playing along. I can pretend that she is finally participating in creating stories with me.
My mother moved back to my hometown when my brother retired from the army and moved back there and while I thought I would be relieved to get a break, I had a hard time letting go. It is nice that he also now knows what it's been like. And it's lovely that he gets to see her sense of humor now that she has forgotten to be self conscious about it.
Sending you so much ❤️ LaDonna. Grief is huge and complex and shifting and sometimes happy, too, but always hard. Showing up for it is all you can do.
I felt this so deep. She’s not my mother, but she’s all I’ve got.
so sorry, ladonna. not pity or sympathy, but understanding. your beautiful writing expresses your feelings so clearly and made me remember all the dynamics of my mother's journey with this terrible
disease. my thoughts are with your family.
Making me sob at 6:28 in the morning. Your words, Lo.
damn it...you made me cry again ;-( My mom didn't fade away, but she left way too soon (I was only 35). you have good memories (as do I), hold them tight, very tight and those won't fade away, they never fade away...YOU are a good daughter LaDonna, you love your mother, hold that tight too ;-) And, you are such a fucking great writer!
Love this "using words to pin my heart to a page and thereby make some sense of it." Yes and those of us who read you, at least me..... I, too, am pined to the page by my heart. Thank you. We get what we get and it's slightly or hugely different and yet, somehow, the same for all of us humans.
Lovely and poignant and so much to unpack in your words. I am so glad I discovered your writing. Thank you.
Wow! Such a gigantic and painful post. Thank you for sharing!!!!
I'm a fan of your writing, but I think this is your best piece yet.
"Remember when she was a Zookeeper?" would be a wonderful title for a book of stories about this part of your life. Just a suggestion, but I think it would help so many people.
You are an extraordinary writer. Your clarity and candor are inspiring. Always.
Such a gut-wrenching, yet beautiful post. Your words hit hard, but land softly on my heart. Though you are physcially far away, we are here for you and so grateful you have opened up this journey to us.
I am currently living this with my mother. She lived this with her mother too and was terrified it would come for her. I'm a little glad she rarely remembers that she can't remember. That she confidently states things that never happened because occasionally they are hilarious and a little bit of me loves playing along. I can pretend that she is finally participating in creating stories with me.
My mother moved back to my hometown when my brother retired from the army and moved back there and while I thought I would be relieved to get a break, I had a hard time letting go. It is nice that he also now knows what it's been like. And it's lovely that he gets to see her sense of humor now that she has forgotten to be self conscious about it.
I can't imagine how you're feeling, but your writing is so heartbreaking.
Beautiful insights, as always. I hope you write a book one day. May the path ahead be paved your mom’s love.
🖤🖤