Nicole Robichaud, a lawyer and caregiver in Ottawa, shares her personal journey in this First Person narrative. For more stories like this, visit CBC’s First Person FAQ.
Nearly three decades ago, my mother was introduced to a folk art calendar, a tradition that has persisted every Christmas since then. The sentimental value attached to this annual gift has been a constant in our family celebrations, especially during my childhood in Toronto.
Each year, my mother would cherish the vibrant paintings in the calendar, with December’s snowy landscapes holding a special place in her heart.
In 2015, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 68, having witnessed her father’s battle with the same illness years before. Despite the challenges that came with memory loss and confusion, she remained optimistic and cheerful.
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Over the years, her condition deteriorated, leading to a move to a retirement home in Ottawa in 2017 and eventually to a memory care unit. By 2021, confined to a wheelchair, she resided in a smaller suite, accompanied as always by her cherished calendar.
Despite her declining health, I continued the tradition of presenting her with the calendar each year, even as her ability to appreciate its contents diminished.
As her cognitive abilities declined, I found solace in the continuity of this simple gesture, turning the calendar’s pages each month and sharing the joy of