August 15, 2021

The Sleepover for Two

You see they don't live together so it’s not the effortlessness of walking into another room. This isn't the quotidian interactions of cohabitation, and neither is it a convenient stop-by on the way home from work. This mother-daughter interaction was regular, intentional and special.
January 4, 2021

Nine Days

And then it all went quiet. For her entire life she had two parents, Mr. and Mrs., except for the nine days when she only had one and then they were both gone.
June 3, 2020

How I started checking on my caregiving cousin, instead of on his mother

Al and I are the same age. Al’s mother is 100 years old this summer. She is a cheerful and sociable woman who acts like she’s in her 80s. She still stands up straight, and has to be told to please use her walker because she has macular degeneration and sometimes falls.
May 22, 2020

Listen During Trying Times

Listening. I believe that listening this is one quality that I have been able to handle with a certain degree of expertise throughout my life. I am what they call a good listener. Now more than ever listening has become a valuable tool for those who take care of loved ones.
April 10, 2019

If It’s Wednesday

Wednesday is her caregiving day. That’s not to say she does not self-identify as a caregiver on the other six days, or change her caregiving schedule if something comes up, but on Wednesday you can count on the day being reserved for this purpose.
September 26, 2017

Her Secrets

I know more centenarians than anyone. As a group they share some basic commonalities, but individually they have interesting idiosyncrasies. Anyone who has reached the age of 100 has secrets which they will reveal if you are listening.