The Glimmer Of Aliveness
The latter stages of Alzheimer’s feel like a mystery. At least it seems that way to me. Still.
My observations result from my mom’s entanglement with this awful disease. Her vibrancy, passion, and spirit dissolved away to somewhere. I wasn’t sure where, though.
Most of us understand the progression. And those of us who are there with our mom, or dad, grandparent, sibling, spouse, or friend… we look for any sign of an awakening — of a glimmer of them being present. Anywhere but where the disease has taken them into hiding.
A little less than a year before my mom died, our daughter, Seu, wondered how Aga would respond to some gentle and familiar music. “Aga” was Seu’s first spoken word — the name she called her grandmother.
Seu took out her iPhone and leaned over Aga. She put one earbud in Aga’s ear, and the other in hers. She played some Frank Sinatra.
Within a few musical notes, Aga looked up. Seu looked at Aga. Aga awakened momentarily from her hideaway prison.
An awakening is a spark that signals aliveness. Aliveness is worth sharing, even when that level of aliveness is different from what we are accustomed.
When we accept that Aliveness in small doses is to be cherished, we grow in our understanding of where we have been and in our willingness to share what might be helpful to others.
This chapter in my mom’s life — defined by courage and uncertainty — shines brightly in our family and within my words every Sunday.
Our friends around our home in La Seu d’Urgell often hear me speak about my mom. She visited La Seu just once — for the 1992 Olympic Games — and lived every moment here to her fullest.
She lit a candle at the 1,000 year-old cathedral two cobblestone blocks from our current home, screamed her lungs out during our canoe races at the Parc del Segre, and enjoyed plenty of wine and sangria with friends and family beneath the shade-covered square in the center of town.
Mom loved it here — which contributes to why I love it here.
On this Mother’s Day in the United States and during the month of May in which we recognize mental health awareness, I am reminded that our own light is not necessarily a source defined by more light or less darkness.
Our source of light is more abstract and forever changing… and shines with glimmers of Aliveness.
With gratitude,
Joe
Ps — If you enjoyed this post, it would mean a great deal to me if you shared it. Please use the hashtag #Aliveness
Hi, I’m Joe, the owner of 5 With Joe Performance Coaching. My clients are leaders, organizations, and teams who utilize my Olympic Gold Medal performance strategies and 40 years of navigating whitewater river rapids to streamline decision making and actions when engaged in complicated river currents of business and life.
The best way to interact with me is through Sunday Morning Joe, my weekly newsletter that explores the art of improving performance, overcoming challenge, and aligning with purpose for Sunday readers in search of more depth and motivation. Subscribe HERE for free.
