I honestly don't even know what to say. I guess I can say that my sisters and I have been grateful that Mom passed before Covid took over everything and people died all alone. We are soon going to gather at the park we grew up across from and dedicate a bench we donated to the local park. It will be nice.
But, as I am also dealing with a situation where just today I had a person come to my house for me to consider hiring to help me "declutter." You see, as I had plenty of my own "stuff", but after my mom passed away there were certain things that I wanted to keep and soon my lower level became a place where I kept her (and Dad's) belonging in. Call it separation anxiety or whatever. My mom was a shopaholic and I have some of those same tendencies. Luckily the person that came said I was far from a hoarder and my "stuff" was clean and organized, verses what she often sees. I guess I can part with what has sat down there for almost three years and enrich other's people's lives a bit, too.
I am so afraid of having CAA happen to me that every night I take an "my mom's name" pill, which is a baby aspirin in hopes my demise is not the same as hers. My mind has never been great, but it is the best asset I have.
I am so sorry to everyone that has it, but do know that it is not the end of the world for people who do get it. Maybe it is the lesser of some of the evils. My dad died a very painful cancer death - there is probably no worse way to leave earth. He was practically a saint and the way he left still breaks my heart. CAA is not overly painful. People understand it is not you that react the way you do. And, your loved ones will always love you. But, as you go through whatever CAA brings you - Dance! Do puzzles! Visit with loved ones! Travel! Throw a party! Go beyond your comfort zone! Live for today! There is not a single person out there that knows what tomorrow might bring.
Two weeks ago I was with my husband at Mayo while he was tested for Agent Orange/COPD/lung issues. I talked to him tonight about having a neighborhood luncheon and calling it a "Just Because" gathering. God is great.