How a 10-Year-Old in a Caregiving Role Inspired Pinkie’s Turnabout (Guest Post by Sue Lloyd-Davies, author of Pinkie’s Turnabout)
When my mother was in her mid-80s, she surprised us by deciding to come live with our family. We had offered many times over the years, but she had built a full life in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She had lived there for more than forty years, surrounded by close friends, quilting and craft clubs, an active church community — and even a boyfriend. Leaving all of that behind was no small decision. When she arrived, she was thriving. In her first month with us she organized her room, helped with cooking, and potted plants on our deck. She quickly became a joyful member of our household. Then everything changed. Within a month she fell and broke her hip. And within another month, dementia had taken hold. She no longer knew who I was. Even harder, she believed I was someone from her past — someone she had disliked deeply. Overnight, I became the enemy. Yet I was the one bathing her, helping her dress, cooking her favorite foods, and managing her diabetes. And she hated me. I was completely unp...
