My mother, Margaret, was the heart of our family. When my twins were born prematurely, she moved in with us to help care for them. Her support allowed me to take on being new mom of two and a busy career during a challenging time. And her selflessness stayed with me as I helped care for her later in life when she needed it most.
Mom was healthy and active in her late fifties when she first began showing signs of cognitive impairment. Within a few years, Alzheimer’s disease stole her joy for cooking, love of music, and ability to recognize her grandchildren.
