Nicole Robichaud, a lawyer and caregiver in Ottawa, shares her heartfelt experience with a folk art calendar that has been a cherished tradition in her family for almost 30 years. The calendar, which has been a consistent Christmas gift for her mother, holds special memories from her childhood in Toronto. Despite her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2015, the calendar continued to be a significant part of their holiday celebrations.
Over the years, as the disease progressed, Robichaud’s mother’s condition deteriorated, requiring them to move to a retirement home in Ottawa. Despite her mother’s declining cognitive abilities, the calendar remained a constant in their lives. Robichaud found solace in continuing to order the calendar annually, even as her mother’s ability to appreciate it faded.
As her mother’s condition worsened, Robichaud struggled with how to connect during their visits. However, she found purpose in sharing the calendar with her mother, reminiscing about the artwork and their shared appreciation for it. Though her mother’s responses became limited, Robichaud believed that the act of giving the calendar conveyed their enduring bond and family traditions.
For Robichaud, the calendar symbolized more than just a yearly gift; it was a way to express love, maintain a sense of normalcy, and provide comfort amidst the challenges of Alzheimer’s. As she looked forward to the upcoming year, changing the page of the calendar became a hopeful ritual, offering a glimpse of light in the midst of a difficult journey.
