A Tribute to Our Mothers and My 2025 Gratitude List

Wizard is doing his signature stance whilst staying in our AZ Airbnb.

The final month of the year, and I wanted to give a shout-out to my and Greg's mothers. Both of our beloved Moms are in hospice. Both of our Moms have endured month after month and year after year of pain, separation, lack of independence, and above all, missing their immediate families. The good news is they have adapted (somewhat) to their assisted living and memory care surroundings.

At first, it was touch and go there. Greg's mom is declining with her Alzheimer's diagnosis, and my mom is doing her best to stay above the fray with her congestive heart failure. Being in 'homes' that are occupied by other like-minded residents isn't a party every moment for them, to say the least. They have wake-up times, meal times, and moments of communication with others in the home, as well as times when they wait patiently for a family member to visit them.

We road-tripped to Arizona to be with my Mom on Thanksgiving--her favorite holiday. It was a blessing to see her doing okay, speaking normally, and enjoying a football game. My brothers were all at the house, as were four wonderful dogs yucking it up with each other. We talked, we laughed, we ate, we went for a walk, we drank wine, and then we had to load Mom back up in the car and take her back to her senior living center. She never wanted it this way, but it's the only solution to the many falls she's taken, and the assurance that her care is provided 24 hours a day by a consummate professional.

Needless to say, it's a big stress reliever for us kids. Knowing she's in good hands all day is a gift to us. And probably to her, too, although she'll never admit it. I always miss her after we leave Arizona. I spent a decent chunk of the day after Thanksgiving to be with her at her new house, keeping her company and ensuring that I'm here for her whenever she needs to talk.

Now, Greg's Mom is on a different program. She has been diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer's, and her feisty body is rapidly declining. Her speech is slurred, her ability to walk is nil, and she lives in a Memory Care center in Hollywood that offers amazing activities, environment, and food. Whether she partakes in all (or any) of it is beyond me. What I do know is we'll be visiting her for Christmas.

She probably won't remember our visit, but the feeling of being with her and sharing warm bodies on Christmas Eve is more than she could ask for. And it's all Greg wants to give her--that feeling of us surrounding her with LOVE. It's supposed to rain like crazy over the holiday week; however, the drive down to LA is what we dread the most. Wizard will be patient with us in the truck, and I've no doubt I'll be jonesing for a walk every hour. That's just how I roll. ;)

Speaking of which, my gratitude list for 2025 reads rather simply this go-round. As much as I've thought about, acted on, and created within my life and my immediate surroundings, it is worthy of much mention with each passing year. Here goes:

• Where I live--the ease, the community, the proximity to the ocean

• A forever life with Greg

• Having Wizard be the center of our lives

• Wizard's health

• Everything about my garden

• My health

• Family communication

• Mom's persistence in life (she's 95 years old!)

• Laughing constantly and dancing to music in the kitchen

• Being retired and spending my days doing what I love with whom I love

• Simple food and loving the resourcefulness of my heart, mind, and soul

• Discovering how much I love to run again (barefoot on the beach)

I'm sure I left some things out, but the above list is the gist of where 2025 got me. I can't do the political conversation in public (only Greg gets to hear my rants and celebrations in that department), and I won't engage in any activities that compromise my wellness. Now that I'm 66 years young, I pretty much keep every moment of every day as a token remembrance of a life well-lived. Sure, I've had my challenges and obstacles, pain and suffering, and a continued frustration with the fate of our world, but overall? I'm a happy camper.

Thank you, God.

Mom and Wizard are enjoying each other's company and watching some football.

May your holiday season be blessed with all the goodness you need, the family time you deserve, and the presents (also, presence) you want. I thank you from my whole self for taking the time out of your day to read my words here. Yes, my writing 'career' is over, yet my passion for writing never wanes. It's a heavenly gateway to all the corners of creative endeavors and imaginative pursuits.

I'll continue to write until I believe I have nothing more to say, which is never!

Happy holidays and lotsa love to you,

Gerry Ellen xoxo