Nicole Robichaud, a lawyer and caregiver in Ottawa, reflects on the enduring tradition of a folk art calendar gifted to her mother yearly for nearly three decades. The calendar, a cherished item in their family, brought joy to her mother during the holiday season in Toronto. However, as Alzheimer’s gradually affected her mother, the significance of the calendar evolved. Despite her mother’s declining condition and inability to engage with the calendar, Nicole continues the tradition each year, finding solace in the belief that the gesture conveys love and connects her mother to their shared traditions.
Over the years, as the disease progressed, her mother’s cognitive abilities diminished, and she required more specialized care in Ottawa. The calendar remained a constant presence, a symbol of continuity amidst the changes. Nicole’s visits to her mother, now often unresponsive and distant, are given purpose by the simple act of turning the calendar’s pages and sharing the familiar scenes. Though her mother’s responses have faded, Nicole finds comfort in upholding this tradition, believing that it communicates their enduring bond and provides a sense of familiarity and love in her mother’s world.
In the face of the challenges posed by Alzheimer’s, the annual tradition of the calendar has become a source of strength and hope for Nicole. It symbolizes her belief in the enduring connection beyond physical limitations and serves as a reminder of the power of love and tradition in the midst of uncertainty. As she anticipates the arrival of the new year, Nicole finds solace in the simple yet profound act of continuing this tradition, offering a glimmer of comfort and continuity in the midst of her mother’s changing reality.