“Sorry to see you go”??!! It wasn’t long ago that many of us went on a fervent campaign to save our places on Medium. The Medium Writers community came to our rescue and many of us recognized that there can indeed be warmth, kindness and power in an online community of people we have never…

An empty pill bottle beside lifeless fingers… A discharged gun next to a cold corpse… Still waters swallowing the final breath… People think of suicide as that final act, And so it is. But most of us commit the “petite mort” Little acts of death, daily. Prostrating ourselves before The…

Skin Deep (My Mom’s Alzheimer’s) When my mom was a young woman, before and after I was born, she worked at a hotel on the beach in beautiful Ocho Rios, Jamaica. She was a Beach Bunny, a sort of cocktail waitress who served guests lounging on or around the beach. Her honey brown skin and…

Thank You, Medium Writers & Friends !!! I was lost in a storm of fears Till I saw your light. I would have drowned in a sea of tears Had day not followed night. I languished in my cares But you helped make it right. DAB I don’t know why I fear and stress, when the circumstances…

Gloves, Wipes and Bleach (My Mom’s Alzheimer’s) Some things you can’t un-see and some things you can’t forget. And here’s the kicker, no matter how unpleasant, how disturbing, you don’t want to forget, because if you forget it may mean that you too are losing your mind. I have avoided writing about the grosser aspects of caring…

The Silent UTI (My Mom’s Alzheimer’s) “Come on Mom, eat just a few more bites, it’s your favorite.” No amount of cajoling can get Mom to eat the full meal. Even her favorite chocolate dessert sits untouched and melting. I switch to “Plan B” and whip up a quick vanilla protein shake with some fresh veggies…

From Doubt to Knowing (My Mom’s Alzheimer’s) I have always sympathized with “doubting Thomas” of the Bible. After all, sometimes other people’s words are not enough. Sometimes we need to see for ourselves. After decades of struggle as a single mom I finally reach the top of my profession, only to be faced with choosing between my…

Irresistible Force Paradox (My Mom’s Alzheimer’s) “Slow down child, stop jumping, shaking the chair, you can’t do cartwheels in the kitchen…“ In the same breath I add, “Mom, please pick up your fork and eat.” My granddaughter is visiting again. It’s the irreverent sweetness of youth, innocence and endless energy bound into one small human being…

The Good Old Days (My Mom’s Alzheimer’s) I have recently made the acquaintance of a fellow traveler along this dark and difficult road. He is totally and admirably dedicated to his mother’s wellbeing. He puts everything aside each time his mom calls, which is often. I remember being in the midst of some crisis at work when…