Transitions

More than a year ago I flew out to Chapel Hill, NC to discuss relocation possibilities with my mom. She has been formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s since 2010. I had expected her transition out to Silver City, NM to take more than two weeks. In a four day period, an iota of her posessions were packed in her car, the sale of her estate set in motion, lawyers met with, state agencies consulted, and temporary housing in Silver City arranged. We drove across the country for three days, arriving in New Mexico a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, 2011. Within a month it was realized that my mom needed assistance with her daily living, even though her vibrant energy and zest for doing were (and continue to be) persuasive traits suggesting otherwise. Neither of us expected to find engaging regularity and connection with the Open Mic experience hosted by Diane’s Parlor - each Sunday we try to find ourselves there. This book chronicles her past year.