Due to the new date for Ironman NZ Taupo on the 27th March I have extended my Givealittle deadline. Thank you so much for the generous donations I have received so far. xx
Oh Mama.
They say, they can't control her,
I say,
Let her anger have its voice.
They say, she cannot be contained,
I say,
Her mind is a cage.
Let her legs set her free.
They say, she won't fit in, here.
I say,
Why need she pretend anymore?
They say, she will not eat,
I say,
She hungers for so much more than food.
They say, she will not sleep,
I say,
Let her rest upon your shoulder.
They say, she cries all day,
I say,
Tears are transformative.
Nevertheless,
My heart feels broken.
They say, her singing is like Mae West;
She says, "Do not compare me. I am myself."
So proud of you, Mama.
I gaze into her eyes, and say,
I love you,
She says, You are a sweet, sweet girl, Mandy.
Oh, Mama.
Mandy Edwards, (c) 2021
It takes just one step to start a journey toward health and fitness. And that's what I did three years ago. Since that first step, I have completed two half marathons, a marathon, a 4 km sea swim, a triathlon (1500m swim, 40 km cycle and a 10 km run) ... just recently clocked my first 125 km cycle in 5 hours. Soon I will be competing in a half ironman event ... and then, Ironman NZ Taupo. I will be an Ironwoman. Through a lot of hard work and support from family and friends.
My Mum won't understand the enormity of my achievement, but she will look at my finish line photo, and say proudly ... "That's my girl!" Well, that is my hope. But Alzheimers is an uncompromising disease and she may not recognize me in two months time. But that's okay. Because I know that the beautiful soul that is my mother, will never be taken away from her; and her heart will remember what the mind has forgotten.
Alzheimers NZ needs all the support it can get to help find answers in the dementia journey; for future research, and practical support for families and individuals who are affected daily.
I would really appreciate YOUR support in helping me raise $1000 for Alzheimers NZ ... and ultimately beautiful people like my Mum.
My Mum completely amazed me on the passing of her husband, our Dad, by holding on to a strong faith that Dad had become an angel and would always be in her heart, looking down from the stars, forever loving her and watching over her. She had a strong urge to say her goodbyes and so we had a small private funeral just for her ... because she knew, despite her dementia, that a process had to be followed to find peace. She reminded me never to underestimate the power of the human heart even when the mind is so confused.
