Katy Ellefson 
The Seasons of Alzheimer’s 
Remembering Mom

In the afternoon, we went to the Salvation Army warehouse to help wrap gifts for children in need. Mom and I enjoyed our afternoon. I put Moms hand in place to hold the paper, and I would hurry to get the tape on before she lost grip.

Mom repeatedly asked, Who are the presents for?

I repeatedly said, They are for children and families in need.

Mom was happy all over again.

On the way home, I decided to stop at the health food store. I only needed a couple of items, and there was a parking space close to the store. Mom said she was too tired to go in and wanted to wait in the car. I agreed, and it would be quicker for me to go in alone. She was buckled in her seatbelt and hadnt yet remembered how to unbuckle it. I was confident Mom would be fine. I locked her in the car and told her I would be back in five minutes.

I grabbed the items I needed, peeked out the window, saw Mom in the car, and proceeded to the checkout. There was one customer ahead of me. Checkout went fast, and I rushed out to the car. Mom was gone! I panicked like never before. I wanted to scream. My mind raced. What should I do? Should I call the police? I cried, Where did Mom go?

About the author

Through the years Katy enjoyed a variety of jobs. She worked as a chore girl, nurse’s aide, machinist, welder, paper control clerk, truck driver recruiter, telemarketer, receptionist, accounting assistant and secretary. Perhaps her most challenging job was caring for her mother through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Now retired , Katy enjoys her favorite job, being a Mom and Grandma.