Where Did My Sweet Grandma Go? by Lauren Flake

I remember the last time I was able to bring my mother, who had early onset Alzheimer’s disease, to my house on Christmas Eve. Once you figure out you can survive this hurt, you will know you can survive anything.This is part two of our series focusing on ideas and suggestions for adapting family traditions and caring for yourself, when a loved one has dementia. Once you’ve grieved a loss of this magnitude, most future losses and struggles will pale in comparison. You will find out how resilient you really are. She is an ingrained part of your identity, as much a part of your future as of your past. The ache of missing your mom will never go away, but you will eventually realize she is such an integral part of who you are that, in a way, she has never truly left you. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” –Winnie-the-Pooh You will always need your mom but you will get used to not having her by your side. If your marriage can weather this storm, it can probably weather any storm. Your relationship with your spouse may be tested the most. RELATED: Marry the Person Who Loves You Through Grief It will become very obvious who really cares about you when your mother dies–who shows up for the funeral services, who sends flowers, cards, and messages, who brings food. All of your other relationships will be tested.

You will see her in your children, and, sometimes, you will even see her looking back at you in the mirror. When your mom dies, she will start showing up all around you-in songs you used to listen to together, in movies you used to watch together, in places you used to go together, in things you used to do together, in holidays you used to celebrate together. Everything starts to remind you of your mom, including yourself. When your confidence and self-worth move beyond your mother’s love and protection, you will likely become more willing to take risks and push yourself far beyond supposed limitations.

In the end, being your own biggest cheerleader can be a good thing. RELATED: If I Could Talk to the Girl Who Just Lost Her Mom

Others may try but they are not hormonally programmed from the time you were born to love you. No one will ever care about your accomplishments and your dreams and your fears as much as your mom. When your mom is gone, you become your own biggest fan by proxy. Here are five things you will probably experience after your mom dies. While it’s hard to watch friends lose their moms (and dads) much too young, I know from my own experience that, eventually, they will come out the other side, stronger and wiser, even though that ache never really goes away. It seems as though I’m in good company in the Motherless Daughters Club these days.

Where Did My Sweet Grandma Go? by Lauren Flake