I did not get to read the post . But I have a comment. I was unable to see my mom for over a month due to illness . The day I went to see her ,she said I thought if you did not come today I would just sit down and cry. I could only stay. A bit but that comment was so special. To me.

This was almost as if it were my mom and I. She passed away a little over two years ago now. I got tears in my eyes when I read this because I too had a special routine with my mom and even though she was in a wheelchair towards the end, she always smiled when she saw me. She always loved it when (about once a week) I would do her nails for her and used pretty polish. So many visits left me in tears on the ride home because she always watched me leave from the window in the nursing facility. I was always sad because she wanted to go home too! Thank you for sharing your story. Even though it brought tears, they were "memory" tears. Thank you.

I wish I could have such beautiful visits. My mom is so negative and complains all the time and I never do anything right. Enjoy and time you get with her even if she doesn't remember you. Mine remembers and it gets nasty. I pray everyday for a pleasant visit, but it comes very rarely.

Very touching! Bless you both!

My Mom did not have alzheimers but she was old, in a nursing home, and 100% blind. Your description of your visits are much like ours were before she passed away, in the sense that we developed a bond that I will forever cherish. Yours was a beautiful story, and only the ones who have experienced these things with their Mom can relate to. Thanks for sharing. You are blessed to have had these experiences with your Mom.

That is beautiful!!! Your lucky to have these beautiful memories that will make you smile for a life time!! I have a mother with dementia in a nursing home as well. I am fortunate enough to be able to visit every day for dinner. It sounds like we have a similar routine.. When I arrive she gets so happy and greets me with a big smile and a big ( Hello I'm so happy you came home). Then we go for a walk ( she uses a walker ) to her room and I comb her hair and she brushes her teeth. We pick out her pj;s and a outfit for the next day. She loves to look through magazines so we look at them together and then it's dinner time. I also have to feed my mother . After dinner I get her a ice cream and that is when I say my good byes . She tells me to " be careful and to get home early". Exactly what she said to me every time I went out when I was a crazy teenager !!! I love my mother and cherish these times together. It's a different life for both of us but we are still together and I will do anything to help her at this time of her life. God bless you and your mom !!!!!

So glad someone took the time to share the tender and heartwarming moments of a tragic disease. I, too, make myself find the half-full part of each moment with my loved one. I am able to pull up these good memories during during darker times - which has become my magic elixir. Thanks for sharing. I believe you helped many people.

This is such a nice article. My mom and have always been very close. Since she has been in the home. She tells everyone that she only has one child and he lives in Cleveland. She tells all will listen that I am her older sister. I know who I am and am okay with that ,but it still hurts to know that she does not remember me. I still go and do her nails ,take her little treats, play yatchzee with her. Tell what I am sewing. We both have a love of quilting . Once in awhile I get a good glimpse of her as she was . It is very special those moments.so treasure all you have .

Beautiful story! it was like going down memory lane for me. My Mom passed in February from a brain bleed within 2 weeks of being diagnosed, after about 8 years of the dementia diagnosis. Our family was able to take care of mom at home, this allowed my parents to stay together. Mom knew those who she saw daily, My mom didnt really speak too much for her last 6 months, but could remember songs and prayers. My mom was also unable to feed herself or walk. You are right to treasure these special moments, they can change in a minute. I would give anything to have a conversation with my mom. Little things like a smile or hello become so precious. It was a honor for me to have been able to take care of my mother. I miss her everyday.

Michelle, what a beautiful story - thank you for sharing! May I share one of mine? My Mom was new to the memory care Assisted living facility. Each time I visited, I told her what day it was. It happened to be my birthday, but all I said was the month / day. She looked at me with a quiet smile and said, now that is a special day. She remembered it was special and it was the best birthday gift I could have received! like you, we had some terific sing-a-longs and prayer recitals. Wishing you well in this journey. My Mom is gone now but I treasure those visits.

You made not of shed any tears but I did. It's true until you experience dementia on a up close personal level you would not be able to relate to this article. I'm glad you are able to share these moments with your mother and with us. It's the simple things that brings us the most joy. Dementia is the cruelest of all diseases that anyone could ever experience and hopefully one day like all other diseases they will find a cure or the cause behind this memory and life stealing thief.

It helped me to know I'm not the only one who cries on the way home.

I loved the part where your mother sang "Michelle, ma belle." My daughter is named after that song so we must be about the same age. It made me tear up because I know what you are going through. My husband has Alzheimer's and he is in the end of stage 6. Things are getting tougher and harder for me to cope, but tomorrow I am taking him to a bluegrass concert. He loves the music and when they play an old song he always is able to sing along. I love that part when his memory comes back to him and we are together in the moment. I live for those moments!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful experiences with your dear mom. My 92 year old mother lives in assisted living, and I also anticipate and treasure our frequent visits. Now I am away for an extended vacation, and call her to chat, because she still will pick up the phone. But there is no substitute for being with her to share the day.