Photo copyright by Lynn Cohen
Today we went an hour from home to visit my 95 year old aunt and uncle. Mimi suffers from dementia. It breaks my heart to see her just sit and stare off into space, become restless and agitated.
So today I brought a large drawing pad and some Sharpie markers and pens and she and I sat and drew, and drew, and drew. She did best if she had a shape to follow. But if you look closely there is a semblance of a tiny flower between her right hand and the pen.
Photo copyright by Lynn Cohen
I drew some people around some scribbles that I later filled in zen tangle-ishly that you can see some of in the top photo, while watching Mimi draw. It was a very sweet day!_______________________
I'd like to ask that when you post please put the theme you are following, in this case: "Close to Home" and your name in the title and in the label sections.
Also, please if you wish, add your ideas for future themes. I will choose from your ideas and try to make them as opened ended as possible to fit for everyone.
And I may repeat this from time to time as new artists join our ranks.
Thanks, Lynn
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beautiful woman, and what a fantastic idea you had giving her drawing elements! no doubt that help her very much!
ReplyDeleteThanks Viviana, my uncle and aunt are the last elders on my maternal family side. I treasure them and am lucky they are close by and as well as they are At 95! As I said, every visit is precious and dear. And yes my aunt has always been a beauty!
DeleteHow great that you provided art materials and something for her to follow...and how great that you take the time to visit her.
ReplyDeleteIt is our joy. We know we won't have them forever so we try to make the most of the time we have.
DeleteLynn, I'm leaving you my email address (joantav3@gmail.com) to use. I have several email addresses and for some reason you sent the emails about the new blog to my email address that I check the least. No wonder I was lost back in Rome. lol
ReplyDeleteOh Joan, I'm so glad to hear from you. I could not imagine this blog going forward without you! Sending invite immediately. So looking forward to your close to home art!
DeleteMy mom has dementia. Wish I lived close enough to visit her. This is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteHow about "The Kitchen" as a theme?
Lisa, my mom had dementia as well. Mimi is her youngest sister. Their middle sister and their mother had it too. My mom lived with us the last two years of her life. It was difficult for all concerned, as it is now for my uncle and aunt. A book that helped me then was "The 36 Hour Day". Sorry I don't recall the author just now. But it helps with understanding this awful process.
DeleteAnd your "Kitchen" suggestion will be our next theme. See the sidebar! Thanks for the suggestion.
Sweet post. I dropped everything and went to call my Aunt and Uncle in CA.. he is 95 and healthy and my Dads bro and she is 92 and has dementia. so sad to try and talk to her now. Art is a good way to connect..
ReplyDeleteI'm glad my visit sent you to your call. Often your calls send me to visit!
DeleteVery touching story! Lovely sketches!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea
DeleteSo heart warming to see this. My dad, who is only in his 70s, has Alzheimer’s and can no longer do any of the things he used to do. He can't even follow TV. He just sits and stares or paces the house in agitation. I'm so glad you found something to hold your aunt's attention, even for a little while.
ReplyDeleteMelisa, I'm so sorry to learn your father has Alzheimer's. See my suggestion to Lisa in her comment above.
DeleteWhat a lovely way to spend time with a loved one Lynn.
ReplyDeleteT'was!
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