After her mother was diagnosed with dementia, Shon Lowe was heartbroken, knowing she may have to watch her mother slowly slip away. But relying on her faith and a commitment to make every day matter, Shon discovered a unique way to juggle the care of her own young kids and her mother, while honoring and preserving their lifelong bond.
Shon Lowe couldn't help but grin when her mother walked into the kitchen, dressed and ready for breakfast. "You put your pants on backwards," she said gently to her mother Theresa, 68, hoping that it wouldn't hurt her feelings. Instead, Theresa let out a deep laugh, immediately transforming the moment into something light and joyful. Shon has been caring for her mother since Theresa's dementia diagnosis four years ago, and she has come to rely on laughter to find strength during some of their hardest days. Here, Shon shares more of her caregiving journey in her own words:
"My mom has always been one of the funniest and most positive people I've known, and along with the pure joy of sharing a belly laugh in tense situations, I always feel like her sense of humor is her way of caring for me too. We both love each other deeply. But so much has changed in our lives these past four years.
Denne historien er fra December 16, 2024-utgaven av First for Women.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 16, 2024-utgaven av First for Women.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FIONA DAVIS' The Stolen Queen
Known for her glamorous historical fiction novels featuring iconic New York City landmarks like The New York Public Library and Radio City Music Hall, Fiona Davis has sold more than a million books and counting!
Deck the Halls on a Dime
Americans spend hundreds of dollars on holiday decorations each year. To the rescue: FIRST polled decorating pros on how to make your home merry and bright for less!
FAITH & LAUGHTER
GIVE ME STRENGTH AS A SANDWICH GENERATION’ CAREGIVER
CHRISTMAS TREES GIVE HOPE TO MILITARY FAMILIES
For many soldiers and their loved ones, the holidays can be difficult, both emotionally and financially. But thanks to the Trees for Troops program, hundreds of their homes and hearts are filled with Christmas cheer every year
MARTHA STEWART'S NEW Cookbook
Step into Martha Stewart's kitchen with a collection of timeless recipes sure to elevate your everyday meals and make holiday celebrations extra special
CONFIDENCE, TRADITIONS & ALL THE Good Things
FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, Martha Stewart has been a lifestyle icon.
POWER UP YOUR PROTEIN WITH CREATINE
There are some stories-like How the Grinch Stole Christmas-that we know by heart. Another tale that may be all too familiar to many of us: How we try to slim, only to regain more weight than we lost.
FOUND: HELP FOR HOLIDAY SLEEP LOSS
If you're tossing and turning a lot more this time of year, you're not alone: New research shows Americans lose nearly 40 minutes of sleep each night over the hectic holiday season. To the rescue: Experts share simple tips to transform sleepless nights into sweet, sugarplum dreams, including the strategy that works for 9 in 10 people
5 WAYS TO SICKPROOF YOUR HOLIDAYS
Stay healthy all season with these clever-and easy-strategies
Radiant in Red
3 steps to wearing the bold hue at any age
