My mom....She refuses to get her hair cut, she must have Teddy with her, tucked under her arm at all times and she loves to be hugged. Of course I hug her and we lean into each other to just feel the love from one another. For anyone who has read my blog, you know my mom's life is the stuff movies are made of. If she didn't have that major head injury, she probably would not have the vascular dementia. If she didn't smoke for 50 years, she might have been able to breathe without the use of the oxygen but these are ifs and times from the past can not be changed. She always asks, "What am I doing here?" "What do I do all day?" "Where's Baron (My brother)?" This is repeated every 3 or 4 minutes but that's OK. She would have gone to the ends of the earth for me so her inability to remember plus other nuances that dementia brings, is truly insignificant to what she has done for me.
Yesterday, she enjoyed her 2 children, the flowers and a good piece of cake! She also loved her card I made for her..
Alphabet Challenge-Enchanted Creatures
Crafty Creations-Anything Goes
Eclectic Ellapu-Anything Goes
Glitter N' Sparkle- One for the Ladies/Mother's day
Retro Rubber Challenge-Use Flowers-rrcb62
Flower Stamp (5 years old), Unicorn Stamp(10 years old), Tombow markers, Watercolour paper, brush, Gold dye ink and Gold embossing powder, Black ink pad, glue, glitter and crystals
I stamped the flower image in gold and heat embossed the gold powder onto watercolour paper. I took my markers and coloured everything but, with tombow markers, you can take water and spread the colour around as long as you have the right paper. I cut out the centre so the unicorn would be framed. I coloured around the unicorn in pale green since green is my mom's favourite colour. I added the glitter dust and the crystals.
My mom did love the card and wondered aloud if I still make cards. I told her I do and enjoy it. She couldn't see the unicorn too much but I told her I chose the unicorn because of dreams and freedom which she holds dear to her heart. One day I will not be able to hold my mom but, for now, I take great pleasure in doing so. I do miss her though...the old mom.
That's a beautiful card. No wonder your mom loved it.
ReplyDeleteMy mom died right before Christmas, 2009, at the age of 92. I've told a couple of people since, who have living mothers, that they should appreciate theirs while they still have her. So glad to see that you're doing just that!
Thank you so much. I think people should do all they can for their parents...unless the parents were abusive. Your mom lived a nice long life
DeleteHi Birgit ... I feel with you both - my Ma didn't have dementia ... but was confined to bed after her major strokes - so know the love - though bending over the bed was really painful ... and I couldn't reach in easily ... she couldn't move - but she could talk.
ReplyDeleteLovely card and wonderful to read about - so pleased you were able to be with her ... now I have my memories ... take care and with thoughts - Hilary
Oh my, that is hard to cope with regarding your mom. Hard for your mom too. memories are the sweetest in many ways. I remember my dad when he was paralyzed after his brain tumor operation.
DeleteThis is a stunning card. The unicorn is beautiful. I am pleased your mum loved it. Thank you for sharing with us at Alphabet Challenge.
ReplyDeleteCrafty hugs
Lesley
So glad you liked my card
DeleteWhat an awesome card, and I love what you said about your mom. Every word of it is brimming with love, and even if she may not always remember, I'm sure she can feel that love and appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteOh...I am humbled and thankful for your kind words
DeleteThat's an amazing card. You are a good daughter to take such good care of her.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex:)
DeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very touching post about your dear mother. No doubt about it, you and she have crosses to bear, but you are wise for focusing on what you have left instead of what the years and circumstances have taken away. I am sure your mother will cherish her unicorn card and that she appreciates having you, her loving daughter, close to her, chatting with her and giving her hugs. Bless your mother, dear BB, and bless you for your devotion to her.
Thank you so much Shady. There are always some crosses to bear but the good far outweighs the bad. She never wants me to leave so it takes a while to leave her room...quite difficult actually because i fell bad.
Deletefeel bad I meant
DeleteA great card indeed. And she sure feels the love, no matter if she always remembers it or not, at your sea.
ReplyDeleteThank you and she does know that we love her
DeleteOh wow! When I first saw this, I thought you must have used a designer paper for the background. Beautiful stamping and colouring to create this! Thanks so much for joining us at Retro Rubber.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I did it all myself:)
DeleteGorgeous card for your Mom. It sounds like she can still take a lot of pleasure from your visits.
ReplyDeleteShe does and actually so do I on most occasions
DeleteCool card for your mom
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThat is a beautiful card, Birgit and beautiful sentiments expressed about your Mom. How wonderful that your family was able to spend the day together. ♥
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to spend that time with her and my brother
DeleteThat's a great card. And unicorns are so popular right now. Glad you got to spend some time with your mom.
ReplyDeleteI always loved unicorns and thought the wild and free horse suited my mom
DeleteCool card. Such a pity your mom cannot be with you totally.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult and I find dementia very, very cruel not only to the person but to the loved ones involved
DeleteThat was a very nice card for your mom! So neat too that you could spend the time with her and meet her at her level.
ReplyDeletebetty
I always try to make her laugh and to feel loved because love is what is needed
DeleteIt is the perfect card for your Mom, Birgit. I really hope you write about her--the series/book. I know it is heart-breaking to see a loved one's health fail. Hugs! I am glad you have memories to cherish.
ReplyDeleteThank you and that book does need to be written...I am a bad girl for that. It is difficult but I cherish the hugs
DeleteAw. That's so touching. And her smiling is everything.
ReplyDeleteBelated Happy Mother's Day to you and your mom.
Thank you so very much!
DeleteBirgit,
ReplyDeleteThe card you made your mother is beautiful! I love what you did with it and I'm going to save the image as a reminder of how you achieved this lovely work. Did you use watercolor paper for the flower frame, as well as the bottom layer with the unicorn? The one thing I discovered with the watercolor paper I used is it's not easy to fold. I believe you can buy pre-folded watercolor paper, though. I may need to get some for future projects. I'm delighted your mom had a lovely Mother's Day. There are so many what ifs but you can't change those things now. I remember years ago our neighbor across the street was dying from lung cancer. I often took her dinner. Sometimes our young daughters would go with me and she'd look at them with words of warning, "Don't ever smoke! If I knew then what I know now then I'd never would've put a cigarette to my lips." I had hoped this would always serve as a reminder and a scare tactic to keep my kids from picking up the habit but it didn't. Our oldest smokes and when I think of it I will remind her of these last words spoken by our neighbor. Anywho, thanks for sharing such a sweet day with us!
I'm glad you like my card. I used the watercolour paper just for the flower image and then cut it and stuck it regular paper. I have a "board" that can cut but also one can align it and score it so it gives a nice clean way to fold the card. The unicorn image is just stamped with black die ink and I used a light tombow marker around the image and a light green pastel chalk, Do you have chalks?? I take Q-tips to colour the images and then spray it with hairspray so the colour doesn't come off onto your fingers. My mom once told me "See this cigarette. I am a slave to this ...I have lost my freedom. I will rather buy a pack of cigarettes than food if i had to. Don't lose your freedom to the cigarette." I will always remember that. Not only did I secretly think she was stupid for wanting the Cigarette over food but that she lost her freedom. I hope that will work for your other child.
DeleteHow lovely to see your Mum....and how lucky you are to have her and treasure her in the way you do.....and your beautiful,stunning card for her....dementia is cruel but I am so glad that you are all still able to have a cuddle xxxx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. She did love the card but I bet she forgot about it now. I can show it to her again and she will think it is new all over again:) It is special still to be with her
DeleteI love the card too! It's nice that your Mom can still get something out of it.
ReplyDeleteShe can and she loved the sparkle!
DeleteThis was a great tribute to your Mom, BIRGIT. I wish mine were still here. But... I'll see her again someday.
ReplyDelete~ D-FensDogG
[Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Your mom is in your heart and in the memories you keep close to your heart and you will see her again just like i know I will see my dad
DeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to your mom. She is well loved. That card is amazing!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra. I hope I give her the love she deserves. Thanks about my card:)
DeleteI'm glad your mom had a wonderful Mother's Day. And the card is beautiful! I love the unicorn.
ReplyDeleteMy mom did since her children were with her and she loved the card
DeleteYou are such a wonderful daughter to care for your mother so lovingly. None of us can ever repay them for even one labor pain. Your card is incredible, every single detail! Thank you so much for playing along with us at Retro Rubber and hope you will join us again soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your touching remarks and so glad you love the card
DeleteA beautiful card and a beautiful testament to your mother! Thanks so much for joining us this time at the Crafty Creations challenge, Elizabeth (DT)
ReplyDeleteOh Birgit, your post brought me to tears. What a beautiful tribute to your precious mom. I'm so sorry that she's dealing with the health issues and it must be so hard to watch the devastating effects of the dementia. She's lucky to have you, as you have been lucky to have her all these years. It's so nice to know that you cherish your moments with her, every moment, no matter the level of lucidity. Thank you for sharing her with us.
ReplyDeleteAnd the card you made her is beautiful. Perfect choice with the unicorn. Surely she felt your love.
Michele at Angels Bark
Oh...what you wrote is deeply touching. thank you so very much. Very sweet
DeleteWhat a wonderful card & no wonder your Mum loved it, thank you for joining us at The Alphabet Challenge for our ‘E is for Enchanted Creatures’ Challenge, hope to see you again. Emma DT x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteOMG that is a beautiful card, I love all the details. Sad that your Mum has dementia, but so lovely that she has you and you obviously care for her very much, your post made me feel joy. Thanks for playing at Retro Rubber this time. Claire DT
ReplyDeleteGlad you like my card and that is so nice that you felt joy...thank you
DeleteSo sweet. I love the card, and we really do just have to treasure our parents while we have them, eh? My father passed away over a decade ago, and every Father's Day I'm a little sad.
ReplyDeleteYes, we need to cherish every moment. I still miss my dad and am sad at Father's Day too and he has been dead since 1988
DeleteThis is very heartwarming, Birgit. I'm glad for you both that you're able to hold onto each other in a real way, before you have to hold on symbolically. You made me smile with this post.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you were able to smile...this made my day!
DeleteLove your card, what a blessing to be able to be there for your mom! Thanks for sharing and playing along with Retro Rubber.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteVery touching and what a good daughter you are.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much:)
DeleteThis is such a beautiful card and also a touching story. I can relate a little bit as my dad had dementia and I did miss my "old dad" no matter how much I loved him no matter what. I'm glad you got to spend this day with your mother and she with you. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteHello Birgit: Beautiful card, love the Unicorn, the flowers are so colorful and make a lovely frame for your beautiful and mystical Unicorn.
ReplyDeleteLove the story of your mom, mine has been living with my hubby and me for over 5 years, she is 93 and also has Dementia. It's hard at times to care for her since I do it all by myself, my youngest daughter is the one that helps me once in a while, both our daughters have families and jobs so they can't help much so it's mostly me but, it's ok, I do the best I can and she is happy, safe, and surrounded by the care and love of her granddaughters and great grandchildren.
Thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful card with us at RETRO RUBBER, hope you join us again next time.
Hugs,
Maria Rodriguez.DT
Wow, Birgit! This card embodies the love that you and your mother cherish! Wisdom and grace is shown in every word of your shared story. Thank you so much for sharing with Retro Rubber... your artwork is so gorgeous! Hope you will play along with us often.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, you, and your cards, your words, and your everything are the embodiment of love, pure and simple. Thank you for sharing it with us. Big hugs, Lady, and gentle ones for your mama.
ReplyDeleteAw, what a beautiful tribute to your mother, Birgit, and what a gorgeous card! Thanks for sharing this story. <3
ReplyDeleteGreat card! Thanks for joining us at Crafty Creations. Anna-Karin DT
ReplyDeleteWhat a great card! You can feel your love for her coming through the post. Hugs! :) ~Jess
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, wonderful colours and colouring, I adore your card. My sympathies for you and your mother. Thanks for sharing with us at Alphabet Challenges. Caz DT.
ReplyDelete