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Posts Tagged ‘Walk for Alzheimer’s’

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write and share.

I follow Pádraig ÓTuama and receive his weekly newsletter on Substack.

This week he wrote about monostitch poems, which are written with one line. His example was a poem by Rafiq Kathwari. There can be much said in a single line when each word is measured and carries weight.

As usual, Pádraig invited his audience to try it and share in the comments. I read through many of them, but this one stood out to me.

When the candle of your best intentions has gone out,

there will be matches in the drawer.

Deborah Cooper

Matches in the drawer

This is my response:

Introducing myself to the hospice nurse,

I hear my mother say my name for the last time.

Margaret Simon, draft

Next month I will be participating in a Walk for Alzheimer’s. Please consider a donation to the cause that is still so close to my heart.

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Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write and share.

My mother, who is 88 years old, is living with Alzheimer’s disease. Currently she is in a memory care facility and in hospice care. She is bedridden and doesn’t eat much. She and my brother live in Mississippi, so I have to travel to visit. I will be going this weekend along with my sister. We are lucky. She’s still a genuinely kind person.

For Pádraig Ó Tuama‘s recent poem prompt “Short Poems”, I wrote:

Visiting My Mother in Memory Care

I lean in for her voice. There is only a smile.

This poem is not entirely true. My brother told me that last weekend, she turned to him and said, “You’re looking good.” Southern pleasantries must be one of the last things to go.

On Saturday, my family gathered in River Ranch in Lafayette, LA to join the Walk for Alzheimer’s. My grandson Leo (5) designed our shirts. We had a fun time walking together, visiting, and honoring my mother, my children’s grandmother, my grandchildren’s great grandmother. She will never know we did this, but my heart was full. We made a difference, and we did it together.

Me in center between my brother, Hunter Gibson, and sister, Beth Saxena.
My family at the Walk for Alzheimer’s.
Aunt “Kacky” with baby June (22 months).

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