Lori La Bey of the Alzheimer’s Speaks blog notes that among the many things she has lost because of her mother’s Alzheimer’s is the joy of giving gifts.

This was my first year I wouldn’t even bring Mom a gift for Christmas. I almost bought flowers, than realized I was going to be buy them for me, not Mom.  The truth is I’m not sure how much she can really see any more. I knew for sure she wouldn’t remember the flowers were for her, or who they were from.

I knew beautiful flowers didn’t trigger anything special for her to hold onto, so what would the point be?

Yes, the flowers would be for me.  I would ”look like” a caring daughter, but flowers have nothing to do with how much I care, how often I visit, or the quality of my visits.  So I decided to pass on performing for looks, purchasing flowers to play a part.  Performing for my ego.  It felt strange to put my gift buying in prospective like that.  Even as I write this knowing full well my thoughts are true, it was so strange to walk in empty handed.

Read more at Alzheimer’s Speaks

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