Another major reason I want to write Granny's story, is to help restore old memories I have of my mother. Having suffered from Alzheimer's Disease in the last years of her life, I watched as this vibrant woman became a mere shadow of herself. The loving eyes turned blank, and her hands, so often busy with playing the accordion, turned idle. I'm sure others who have watched family members ravaged by this devastating disease would all agree, it's difficult to overcome the sad memories of a seemingly lost soul with the joyful memories of the days before.
I have a live recording of Granny playing the accordion on my computer and I am working on a way to link it up with this blog. If anyone has an idea on how I can do this, please let me know.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
My reason to finish her story
Ironically, the point in time that Granny left off in writing her memoire, was just after my birth. After my father's return from the artic in 1956, she wrote "There were lots of stories exchanged but there was one little setback for Frank, our baby Barb, who was only 6 months old when he went away didn't know him and didn't want any of his love or kisses, which the other kids found really funny,but it was only a day or two when that changed and we were a happy family back together again".
My journey to write about Granny's life starts at the beginning of my life! I am currently reading "The Heart Does Break", a collection of Canadian Writers on Grief and Mourning. In the intro by George Bowering, he writes " Just about everyone in our society wants to write a goodbye poem to their dead.....But why would anyone want to write about being left behind? I think your father's death, your daughter's, your best friend's death means that you are another person now. You need to be redefined." It is this sentiment, the need to redefine oneself, to find "me" in this life without my mother, whom was always a source of inspiration to me, it is that need that compells me to write her story. In so doing, even at this point, I find an inner voice forcing me to look deep into myself and find my path.
My journey to write about Granny's life starts at the beginning of my life! I am currently reading "The Heart Does Break", a collection of Canadian Writers on Grief and Mourning. In the intro by George Bowering, he writes " Just about everyone in our society wants to write a goodbye poem to their dead.....But why would anyone want to write about being left behind? I think your father's death, your daughter's, your best friend's death means that you are another person now. You need to be redefined." It is this sentiment, the need to redefine oneself, to find "me" in this life without my mother, whom was always a source of inspiration to me, it is that need that compells me to write her story. In so doing, even at this point, I find an inner voice forcing me to look deep into myself and find my path.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The end/beginning of the story.
My mother, Gladys Burke Dwyer passed away on May 13th, 2007, in her 85th year at Linhaven Home For The Aged in St. Catharines after a courageous battle with Alzheimers Disease. Predeased by her loving husband Frank. Loving mother to Ellen Clarke, Stella & Patrick Shea, Mary Dwyer, Frank & Jean Dwyer, Patrick Dwyer (deceased 2008), Rita & Ric Collins, Barb & Rick Teeuwsen. Cherished Granny to Raymond, Paul, Kevin, Bryan, David, Patrick, Jonathon, Tara Lynn, Brendan, Amy, Mary Catharine, Timothy, Alaina and Caitlin. Great Granny to Ellieanna, Abigail, Jade and Lilah.
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