Hello, her name is Kathy

“The caregivers will love to get to know your mom. It will be helpful for them if you can write down some of your favorite memories of her, things she liked to do, hobbies, achievements. They will be so interested in her children and grandchildren, the foods she likes and does not like. It will delight them to discover the things that bring her joy. “

Per the request of the administrator at Lenoir Woods, the beautiful senior living facility that has become home to my parents, I write this letter. In just a few days mom will move from her apartment with dad to a beautiful new room in the memory care section of their facility. We thank God that it is just one floor down and a short hallway walk from where they currently live and where dad will stay. The need for this letter comes because Mom is in the later stages of Alzheimers. She is no longer able to take care of herself and struggles to communicate all the wonderful thoughts she has in her head. This particular aspect of her Alzheimer’s is called aphasia. The difficulties of people with aphasia can range from occasional trouble finding words, to losing the ability to speak, read, or write; INTELLIGENCE, however is unaffected. “American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): APhasia.asha.org” I would guess though if mom were able to communicate she may not share the things below. She has never been one to toot her own horn. As her first born… allowing me to do some tooting:)

I choose to share these thoughts with you because isn’t it in the sharing of the memories of people we love that the joy we hold for them exponentially grows? In this week before we move mom to her new home I hold many emotions – the greatest being gratitude. So wether you are one of the caregivers that now has the pleasure of spending many moments with my mom, a friend that regularly tunes in to the words I write or someone that has just happened upon this blog… Welcome…

and may I introduce you.

Hello… her name is Kathy.

Kathryn Louise Meyerhoff was born on January 23, 1945. or 1-23-45. I have loved sharing that with people my entire life – isn’t her birthdate the coolest? Born and raised in a small town in Iowa – the youngest of six she enjoyed reading, basketball and sewing. I met my mom later in her life so what I will share with you are my favorite parts of what I know and love about my mom, Kathy.

Hello… her name is Kathy…and she loves to sew. My mom is an amazing seamstress. She made most of the dresses my sister and I wore for Christmas and school dances. Memories of sitting with her at Joann Fabrics pouring through catalogs of patterns, then finding the pattern, picking out the fabric and all the fun extras like fancy buttons and ribbons are still clear in my mind. I marvel at the patience she exhibited when I begged her to begin cutting out the material as soon as we walked in the door. Often she would agree, stretching the cloth across the kitchen counter and painstakingly pinned the pattern to it. It was not until I was a mom and attempted to sew clothes for my own daughter that I realized the attention to detail that sewing required. Her work was always so perfect. My oldest daughter still has a shirt my mom made me in high school – the quality in the stitches standing the test of much time. Kathy… she takes her time and desires excellence in everything she does.

Hello… her name is Kathy… and she graduated from college with honors when her daughters were in high school. I honestly do not know how she managed this. We never felt like she was carrying a heavy load. All while mom was taking night classes and writing papers she prepared our meals, kept the house clean and attended our sporting events. At the end of my Junior year of high school we were attending her college graduation ceremony like it was no big deal. Having raised three of my own… I now understand what a gigantic feat this was.

Hello… her name is Kathy… and she is an amazing cook. People still rave about her chocolate chip cookie recipe, hamburger stroganoff and homemade pancakes. She taught us the beauty of creating tradition with meals… causing much anticipation for her food as we headed into each holiday.

Hello … her name is Kathy… she loves to laugh. And she has such a beautiful smile that starts with her sparkling eyes and moves down to her wide grin. She likes to tease and has the wonderful ability to not take herself too seriously.

Hello… her name is Kathy…she sings, plays the organ and piano. Alto please. I loved listening to her sing the harmony line of hymns during church. As a little girl she would let me twist her wedding bands around her fingers while she sang those familiar tunes. I picked a simple gold band for my own wedding ring because I wanted to be like my mom.

Hello… her name is Kathy… she enjoys popcorn and butter pecan ice cream. She does not like cheese on her burger but she does like radish and butter sandwiches.

Hello…her name is Kathy…she proved to all of us that its never to late to try something new. When my sister and I were grown and had families of our own, mom started art lessons. Drawing, painting… and she is amazing. She gifted my sister and I with pencil drawings of each of our children.

Hello her name is Kathy… She has two daughters, Beth and Teresa. She has two son in laws, Tom and Matthew. She has 5 grandchildren – Allie, Jonah, Brooke, Noam and Mila. I see my mom in each of these offspring. Allie has her ability to listen without judgement. Jonah has her generous spirit. Brooke has her determination for truth. Noam has her quiet strength. Mila has her creative spirit. What a joy to see Kathy in the people that hold parts of her DNA.

Hello..her name is Kathy. She has been married to John for almost 55 years. They met on a blind date and my dads mom swears he said he knew she was his future wife after their first date:). They have been ministry partners for their entire marriage. Mom filled the role of pastors wife beautifully as she loved the members of the congregation dad pastored with all her heart. She would stand next to dad at the end of services and greet the congregants as they left. To this day I’ve never seen another pastors wife do this… including me.

Hello… her name is Kathy…and she loves Jesus. She has loved him her whole life. She has never questioned his existence or his love for her. She just loves him. She spent a good chunk of her life teaching these truths to her pre school students she taught at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Brighton, MI. Her simple faith was displayed so beautifully in the ways she loved her young students. She knows with confidence that the decay of her earthly body is temporary and that her complete physical and spiritual healing are part of he future because of her faith in Jesus resurrection power. This truth gives hope – not only for Kathy but for our very selves as well.

Hello her name is Kathy… and if she could speak to you now she would enjoy asking you questions. She would encourage you. She would laugh with you. She would jump up to serve if you indicated you might need some help. She would not expect thanks and would act in joy.

Hello her name is Kathy… and I love her so very much.

I just know you’ll love her too.