Special to Me / myLot

United States

May 4, 2023 9:33am CST

This is my mother, Leanne (her middle name, but it's what she went by). Today will make it eight years since she died, and went to Heaven. At first, we found her keys in the fridge. Then, we inexplicably discovered dirty laundry being tossed around in the dryer. One day while I was in the passenger seat, and she was driving, we went to exit the interstate. As we went up the incline, and got ready to go around the curve, both of us laughing at our conversation, I noticed she didn't seem to be steering the car in the proper direction. Finally, I blurted, "Mom!", and she jerked the wheel so our car didn't go over the steep hill and crash. Finally, at aged 46 she was diagnosed with dementia. As she lost her ability to do everything from speaking to swallowing, she never lost her ability to show us with her eyes that she knew who we were. Her death at 55 was peaceful in the end. She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother, granddaughter, friend, principal, teacher, professor, and all around human. I hope to one day be half the woman she was. Thank you, Mama, for your unshakable love.

29 people like this

28 responses

snowy

@snowy22315 (180864)

• United States

4 May 23

That is a beautiful picture of your mom. That is a rotten shame she left so soon. RIP Leanne! You raised a wonderful daughter!

8 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

4 May 23

Thank you so much for your kind words.

7 people like this

snowy

@snowy22315 (180864)

• United States

4 May 23

@AmbiePam Thanks, I give credit, where credit is due.

6 people like this

Trebor Ika

@Treborika (17697)

• Mombasa, Kenya

5 May 23

@snowy22315 Me too

4 people like this

Juliaacv

@Juliaacv (51027)

• Canada

4 May 23

I remember when your sweet Mom passed. Dementia is a terrible illness, so very cruel. I have been thinking of my own mother today, who suffered from dementia also. Your Mom is undoubtedly looking down and smiling at the sweet young lady you are.

7 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

4 May 23

Thank you so much. I can't imagine what an angel your mother was as well.

7 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

4 May 23

@Juliaacv It must really scare him. Not that it can’t scare you! Today I realized I’m 42, and she was 46. I’m sure it helps you understand his concern. The angry phase is tough. I don’t know long they last in every patient. Was your mom angry and miserable the entire duration of her illness?

6 people like this

Juliaacv

@Juliaacv (51027)

• Canada

4 May 23

@AmbiePam Sadly her disease started about 12-15 years before she passed, and it made her a very miserable and angry person. Our son talks to me alot to make sure that I am not slipping, as I am almost 61 years old and she began around that age. We didn't understand it at first because it took the form of anger and things like that, but he watches me and tells me why, which I appreciate.

6 people like this

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Jenaisle

@Jenaisle (14078)

• Philippines

5 May 23

She is beautiful, the sparkle in her eyes denotes she had a good life despite her condition. May she rest in peace.

6 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

5 May 23

I appreciate your kind words.

7 people like this

Anna

@LadyDuck (471459)

• Switzerland

4 May 23

Your Mother was a beautiful woman. How sad that she had dementia when she was still so young. I am sure she loved you until the end.

6 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

4 May 23

I think she did too.

5 people like this

Anna

@LadyDuck (471459)

• Switzerland

4 May 23

@AmbiePam She grew a wonderful daughter.

4 people like this

Marie

@Tampa_girl7 (50270)

• United States

4 May 23

She was a pretty lady. . Dementia is such a cruel illness.

4 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

4 May 23

Thank you. And I know you're familiar with this.

4 people like this

Marie

@Tampa_girl7 (50270)

• United States

4 May 23

@AmbiePam Yes, unfortunately.

4 people like this

@acelawrites

@acelawrites (19272)

• Philippines

5 May 23

You Mom was beautiful.She went away so soon! Sorry for your loss!

4 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

5 May 23

Thank you so much.

4 people like this

Trebor Ika

@Treborika (17697)

• Mombasa, Kenya

5 May 23

@AmbiePam welcome

2 people like this

marguicha

@marguicha (223110)

• Chile

4 May 23

Such a terrible illness at such a young age

She was beautiful. RIP

3 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

4 May 23

Thank you so much.

2 people like this

much2say

@much2say (55664)

• Los Angeles, California

4 May 23

So young your beautiful mother was to have dementia. Big hugs to you on this day

3 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

4 May 23

I appreciate that, thank you.

3 people like this

Four Walls

@FourWalls (68115)

• United States

4 May 23

Those Mom-shaped holes are the biggest. What a beautiful lady. I hate dementia. You lose the love one twice: when they forget you, and when they die. I pray your day is filled with the good memories and great times.

3 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

4 May 23

Thank you so much for your kind words.

3 people like this

Judy Story

@jstory07 (139753)

• Roseburg, Oregon

5 May 23

Your Mother was a very beautiful women. That is great that you have good memories of her.

2 people like this

Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (41447)

• United States

4 May 23

What a sweet testimony of an amazing mother. I know you miss her.

3 people like this

MARILYN

@Marilynda1225 (82789)

• United States

4 May 23

Dementia is so sad and your mom was so young to have it. I'm so sorry for your loss Amber but what a nice tribute to her today. Thanks for sharing her picture. I'm sure she's smiling down on you today and every day.

3 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

4 May 23

I like to think about it that way too.

3 people like this

solxee

@sol_cee (38219)

• Philippines

5 May 23

Hugs to you

3 people like this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317089)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

5 May 23

Has it been that long? I'm glad you had such a wonderful relationship with your mother.

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

5 May 23

Thank you, Valerie. I know, it doesn’t seem like 8 years.

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

5 May 23

@just4him Yes.

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317089)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

5 May 23

@AmbiePam I remember when you posted about her passing. I checked my profile surprised to find I've been here this long. Time flies.

1 person likes this

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@mayka123

@mayka123 (16605)

• India

5 May 23

Your mom was a very beautiful woman. My aunt had dementia and it was at a time when we did not know anything about it. I was about 7 years old when one day she was sitting outside out house and we don't know where she disappeared. She never ever came back. Now her daughter also has dementia and is a Nursing home and does not remember anyone.

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

5 May 23

Wow, I am so very sorry to hear that.

Always smiling

@allknowing (136560)

• India

10 May 23

I do not know how I missed this post Just checked your profile You write so well and this post is so well written. Your mother deserved all that I am sure.

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

10 May 23

Oh, thank you so much.

1 person likes this

Jose Juan

@quantum2020 (12041)

• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico

6 May 23

Your Mom looks very young. It was a sad story. I still have my Mom and feel fortunate for that. She is very active at age 81

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

6 May 23

That's wonderful to hear!

OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (89873)

• Arvada, Colorado

5 May 23

I am so happy to meet your beloved Mama Ambie RIP

She was surely exceptionally beautiful inside and out.

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92856)

• United States

5 May 23

Thank you so much.

1 person likes this

OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (89873)

• Arvada, Colorado

5 May 23

@AmbiePam Welcome

1 person likes this

Kharla Jolly

@kobesbuddy (78882)

• East Tawas, Michigan

5 May 23

What a terrible loss, this vibrant wonderful lady, who had so much positive impact on others, in this world:) She was beautiful, in more ways than one!

1 person likes this

Zhang jing xuan

@zhangxueying (3342)

• China

5 May 23

Your mother is very beautiful. Unfortunately, she fell ill so young and went to live in another world.

1 person likes this