Today has been a day I have been looking forward to for months. Losing mom the way we did was the hardest thing we ever been through. The Alzheimer’s Journey is complex and taxing. It evokes emotions you didn’t know you had and calls upon caregivers to experience moments that leave deep and lasting scars. Amidst all of it, there is great joy and beauty to be discovered. My mom had an infectious spark of joy that lead to Love and Open Arms.
our weekly lunches before dad passed away
The community we built through @love_and_openarms means the world to me and I am happy to continue this journey in mom’s honor. I want nothing more than to gather women together who just need somebody to understand the day in and day out. Fellowship and connection. Plain and simple. I want you all to know you are not alone.
shopping at Target
The first Love and Open Arms meetup will be held in Orange County, California on February 21. I wish I could gather everyone across the country. Maybe one day.
visits with mom
More than anything, I just want to carve out two hours for you to feel at home. My mom’s gift for hospitality was unmatched. I hope she will work her magic to allow us to just gather and be friends. When I was in the thick of this fight, I clung to anyone else going through it. Whether you are just discovering a diagnosis or have already lost someone, this meetup is for you. We hope you’ll be able to join us.
*The $20 goes directly to the venue and breakfast.
Ladies, I am still working out the details and how this will all look but I have faith in my mom and faith in our community. Gathering together is most important.
CAN YOU JOIN US?
Can you join us? If you are on Instagram, please go to my profile and click the Meetup circle. The last slide asks you to submit your name and email. That will help me keep everyone’s information in the same spot and I can go from there. If you are not on Instagram, please send me an email so that I can get a good idea of numbers. athoughtfulplaceblog@gmail.com
NOT LOCAL?
I realize this is limited to local gals and for that I am sorry. Many of you have asked if I can video the event. While I am not entirely sure about the video, I will absolutely do a wrap up and share about the morning.
PASS IT ON
While so many of you are not touched by Alzheimer’s, I still need you help. I would love if you could spread the word to anyone you may know in Orange County, CA. It’s by word of mouth that we can continue to build this community.
RESOURCES
Lastly, I have put together many resources and stories of our journey which you can access from here.
Looking forward to this next step in the journey and hope to see many of you on February 21st. Make it a great day.
Good Morning Courtney from British Columbia, Canada,
I have followed your blog for a few years now and have been so touched by your Alzheimer’s journey.
My mother-in-law passed away in 2017 from Alzheimers , she lived with us for about 2 years before we had to have her put into care in 2016. We know all to well the challenges involved with caring for a loved one with this horrible disease. It was a difficult couple of years when she lived with us, we renovated our tiny house so we could put in an ensuite off her bedroom and my husband and I moved into our attic, not the best but it worked. Our local Alzheimers Society offered classes for family and caregivers and it was so helpful and provided so much information and support. Good for you for planning such a wonderful meet-up in Love and Open Arms I know your parents would be very proud. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year full of good memories.
Patty
I love that you are doing this. I enjoyed following along on your outings with your mom, the videos you have of her are a treasure I’m sure. Sending my best wishes from Central Indiana for a successful meetup.
What a wonderful idea! I know it will be perfect. ❤️