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When Memories Fade: How Alzheimer’s and Dementia Have Shaped My Life
Monday 23rd MarAlzheimer’s and dementia aren’t just medical diagnoses. They are slow, unrelenting thieves—stealing moments, stories, and pieces of the people we love. For me, these diseases aren’t abstract concepts or statistics. They are woven into the fabric of my family, shaping my life in ways I never expected.
Losing My Grandma Johnson, One Memory at a Time
My first real encounter with Alzheimer’s came through my Grandma Johnson. She lived with the disease for ten long years before she passed, and those years changed me forever. Watching her slip away piece by piece was heartbreaking. Some days she knew exactly who I was; other days, I was a stranger.
The woman who once played the piano by ear, raised the largest garden a child could only imagine, and created the best Sunday meals for all of her children and grandchildren each week slowly became someone trapped inside her own mind.
There is a unique kind of grief that comes with Alzheimer’s—the grief of losing someone while they’re still physically here. I learned early on that love sometimes means holding on tightly while also learning to let go.
Now It’s My Mother: A New Chapter of the Same Pain
Just when I thought I had already lived through the worst of what dementia can do, life handed me another chapter—my mother’s diagnosis of vascular dementia.
This one cuts even deeper.
Watching my mother struggle with losing her memories feels like watching the foundation of my world crack in slow motion. She has moments of clarity that feel like gifts, followed by moments of confusion that break my heart. I see her trying—trying to remember, trying to stay present, trying to hold onto the pieces of herself that dementia keeps pulling away.
There is nothing easy about watching the woman who raised me, protected me, and loved me through every stage of life now need protection herself. It’s a role reversal no one is ever truly prepared for.
The Emotional Weight No One Talks About
Caring for someone with dementia is exhausting in ways that are hard to explain. It’s not just the physical tasks—it’s the emotional whiplash. The constant worry. The grief that never fully settles. The fear of what tomorrow might look like.
Some days I feel strong and capable. Other days, I feel helpless. But every day, I feel love. And that love is what keeps me going.
The Thread That Connects Us: Crocheting Through Generations
One of the greatest gifts my grandmother and mother ever gave me was teaching me how to crochet when I was just five years old. What started as a simple childhood hobby became a lifelong source of comfort, creativity, and connection.
Every time I pick up a hook and yarn, I feel them with me.
I remember their hands guiding mine.
I remember the laughter, the patience, the pride.
Crocheting has become more than a craft—it’s a way to honor them, to keep their stories alive, and to create lasting memories for the people I love. Each blanket, scarf, or tiny handmade treasure carries a piece of my heart and a piece of theirs.
Why I Speak Up
Sharing my story isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. Alzheimer’s and dementia affect millions of families, yet so many people feel alone in the experience. I want others to know they aren’t alone. I want to honor my grandmother’s memory and stand beside my mother as she faces this terrible disease.
And I want to keep fighting—for awareness, for research, for hope.
Because even when memories fade, love doesn’t..
A Call to Action: Stitching Hope Together
This year, I’m turning my grief, my love, and my determination into action through a special crocheting and knitting event dedicated to ending Alzheimer’s. Yarn crafts have always been a source of comfort, creativity, and community—and now, they’re becoming a way to honor the women who shaped my life.
Every stitch represents a memory.
Every loop represents hope.
Every finished piece represents a future where no family has to endure this heartbreak.
I invite you to join me—whether you crochet, knit, or simply want to support the cause, and help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Together, we can create something beautiful.
Together, we can keep memories alive.
Together, we can work toward a world without Alzheimer's
Beautiful tribute to your mom and grandmother. 💜. Keep on stitching!