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This is real life
Scrapbooking is a form of free therapy for me, I think it's important to scrapbook the not- so-pretty parts of our daily lives. I wrote down my thoughts about my dad's illness, if it comes off as sounding like I'm a horrible daughter, I apologize- just keeping it real.
My heart breaks for you and your family. How tough it must be for all, and how wonderful of you to be such a loving devoted daughter. Caring for our elderly parents is hard and exhausting, and you do "grieve" the loss of our unrealized expectations! It is good to be able to voice and document for yourself and your kids this story and history for them to look back and know too. Hugs!
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Thanks so much @Brinkleyboy. I debated whether or not I should delete this layout, as it is kind of depressing but I decided not to. I truly appreciate your kind words.
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xo
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I think everybody who is somewhat familiar with parkinson and dementia can relate to your feelings. It is really, really hard to be a relative. You don't sound horrible at all. First of all and mostly I think this page express your love (that is behind all that right-felt depression and sadness) for your father, and that is such a beautiful and sweet gesture to him. I think it is a beautiful page, both in design and because it is so true. I also think this page will be valuable both for yourself and your kids when they get older. They probably understand your feelings already, but as they grow older and experience more of life themselves, this page may help them understand more of the layers in your feelings and your relationship with your father. You are in your full right to feel angry and sad, I think everybody can understand that. And I think everybody also understand that you wouldn't feel like this if it was not for all the love underneath that. Hugs and hopes for brighter days to come your way.
Thank you, thank you. xo @norbarian
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I totally appreciate your honesty on this layout!
My grandmother had dementia and it was horrible towards the end. She was not the same person I remembered and it was hard.
I remember not even crying at her funeral and feeling like a terrible person. But then I realized it was because I had done my grieving long before that day! I'm so sorry that your father is facing this, and I think it's good to use scrapbooking for therapy! Thank you for sharing, Melanie.
Thanks so much, @Maryjo You are exactly right about grieving long before.
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Hugs my friend! Such a courageous post. I remember well the "hold on...but it is ok to let go" conversation with my Mom. It is a very hard place to get to. You are a fabulous daughter ❤️
Thanks @LisaT. xo
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What a beautiful and heartbreaking layout. I wish you and your father some peace at this difficult time.
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I see your face in his! Your journaling is beautiful. A parents dementia is hard to come to terms with. I know I'm not there yet. I lost my father to lung desease in my twenties, and now I'm losing my mother to Alzheimers. Dementia is such a terrible illness to be struck down by. It's degrading. None of her four grandchildren will ever truly know her. So sad.
You're right, it's terribly degrading and terribly SAD. I would not wish this on my worst enemy. Hugs to you and your Mom.
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This is so powerful, so moving.
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Big, big hugs Melanie. We recently lost my husbands grandpa to Parkinson's. It was a tough, tough road for his grandma and everyone but mostly her. They live in a different province then the rest of the family so sadly she was the main caregiver through the years of his fight. I feel like she wrote your story as well. Just so ready to let them let go. Lots of love to you, I totally believe in the real life moments Scrapbooked. I SO wish there was more of that left behind from my Grandma for me to learn. Xo
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Beautifully written.
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Thank you for sharing. Your layout brought me to the edge of tears. It is beautiful, sad and honest. I admire you and the love you show here for your father. I hope pouring it out onto the page has helped just a little and I wish you and your father some measure of peace.
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I'm so glad you shared this layout. Your words are real, heartbreaking and beautiful. Going through this with family is so incredibly difficult. I'm so glad scrapbooking can help you deal with the hard things.
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So very touching. I'm so sorry.
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