Krista, I just wanted to say that I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I am sending you hugs and condolences.

Dementia is such a terrible thing, in all its many forms. We lost our dad to Alzheimer's Disease in 2005 about a dozen years after he first showed signs of it. Dementia ran like a chain saw through his family and claimed all of his siblings who had lived into their 70s and 80s, leaving us kids feeling relieved we were adopted. I used to get a little crazy every time I couldn't find my keys, which I have a bad habit of just setting down anywhere. I was sure it meant I was developing Alzheimers's. Then I remembered what the doctor had told us--misplacing one's keys is not a symptom of AD. Not knowing what your keys are for? That's a sign. So, in the same vein, not knowing for sure what a plant is or who gave it to you is not a sign of dementia---but not even knowing what a plant or flower is in general could be a sign. So, see there---you're good! You recognize all your plants and remember they came from your forum friends.

I'm glad your Spring Fling plants are reawakening and bringing you back to gardening. I really feel like gardening is great therapy for a person who is grieving such a huge loss like you are. In fact, I think gardening is great therapy for anything at all. Gardening and chocolate---together they keep me smiling.

Hang in there and keep smiling. Life is a beautiful gift each and every day even when you're mourning the loss of your mother. My dad's been gone almost 13 years and I still think about him daily. At first the memories were hard, and I often cried. Over time, the grief eased...or moved on to a different stage. I still may get tears in my eyes when I think about him, but I don't cry any more. I'm just so grateful he was my dad and that we got to have him here on this earth with us until he was 85 years old.

My Mexican Hat plants out in the pastures are blooming right now too. You know, they look so airy and delicate, but they grow in absolutely the worst clay soil we have here. I appreciate strong survivors like that!

Dawn

Krista. . . I don't know you, but my blessings to you echo what Dawn just said so beautifully. My dad, who I also still think of every day with so much love, also suffered from dementia for his last 7 years. It was heartbreaking, to him, and to those of us who adored him. . . but it was not nearly like Alzheimers. It tore my heart out, because I was 800 miles away from them; I tried to move back to help; I traveled back 4-5 times a year; I sought legal assistant jobs in the area that might provide a decent wage--they were a joke--I offered to move in with them and care for him if they'd provide my room and board; they always said if it became necessary they'd call. I got there a week before he died, and it was such a gift that's when I went.

I'm so thrilled for you that the garden gave you a spark. What a blessing, eh? And again echo Dawn's feeling about gardening. It certainly has been one of the great blessings in my own life. God bless.