My mother celebrated her 76th birthday on Sept 22, day after World Alzheimer's Day. While Chris of our marketing department has been asking me to write something about raising awareness about Alzheimer's and dementia, since Mama has moderately advanced dementia. For days, I've been trying to think and think - what will I say? What will I say that's positive and uplifting to people who probably live or know someone with dementia? And for a week I can't think of any, because I haven't been the best daughter to my mother who has the condition. Discussing a parent who used to be fierce, intelligent and very active become childish and unreasonable is not a topic that's very social media-worthy. I'm (mostly) patient with my daughter who's almost five because I am 'raising' her. The very word "raising" connotes lifting, growing. My kid will be independent in a few years insha'Allah. She won't be a kid forever. But with parents who have dementia, you don't 'raise' them though you take care of their needs, calm their fears and hide unhappy news from them.

Unlike other diseases, you don't 'battle' dementia to eradicate it since it is a degenerative disease. It's downhill, to be realistic. The daily battle is simply to BE KIND to a family member who has dementia. To be kind and not say mean things. To be kind and grateful still because they did raise us up when we were young. To be kind and to hug or kiss them even when they are not so cute, nor so lovable.

I guess I'm writing this to remind ME. So thank you, Chris.

And to Mama, Happy Birthday!

Healthy, chocolatey regards,
Iman
Cofounder