Nicole Robichaud, a lawyer and caregiver in Ottawa, shares her emotional journey with her mother’s Alzheimer’s and the enduring tradition of a folk art calendar in their family. For nearly three decades, the same folk art calendar has been a cherished Christmas gift in their household. Each year, the vibrant paintings on the calendar brought joy to her mother, particularly the snowy scenes in December.
In 2015, at the age of 68, Nicole’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a journey she had witnessed before when caring for her own father. Despite the challenges the disease brought, her mother remained positive and cheerful, even as her memory faded.
Over the years, as Alzheimer’s progressed, Nicole’s parents relocated to a retirement home in Ottawa, eventually moving her mother to the memory care floor as her condition worsened. Despite her mother’s declining health, the folk art calendar remained a constant presence, accompanying her from one living space to another.
As her mother’s cognitive abilities diminished, Nicole found solace in continuing the tradition of ordering the calendar each year. Even though her mother could no longer engage with the pictures or acknowledge the gestures, the act of sharing the calendar during visits provided a sense of purpose and connection.
The ritual of displaying the calendar became a symbol of their unchanging bond amidst the turmoil of Alzheimer’s. Despite the communication barriers and physical limitations, Nicole believed that the love and effort put into the annual gift resonated with her mother on a deeper level, fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort in her living environment.
Through the simple act of turning the calendar’s pages, Nicole expressed her spiritual beliefs in the interconnectedness of people beyond physical limitations. In the face of a challenging disease, the calendar served as a beacon of hope, offering solace and continuity in their evolving relationship.
As Nicole looks forward to the upcoming year, she finds strength and purpose in the enduring tradition of the folk art calendar, a testament to the enduring power of love and connection in the face of adversity.
