Nicole Robichaud, a lawyer and caregiver in Ottawa, reflects on her family’s long-standing tradition of gifting her mother a folk art calendar every Christmas. The tradition, spanning nearly three decades, holds sentimental value as the calendar has been a consistent and cherished present in their household.
Originally hailing from Toronto, the holiday season was always a joyous occasion for Robichaud’s family. Despite the array of gifts under the tree, her mother held a special fondness for the art calendar, relishing each vibrant painting, especially the festive scenes of December.
In 2015, at the age of 68, Robichaud’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Having previously supported her own father through a similar journey, she faced the daunting reality with resilience and positivity, despite initial struggles with memory lapses.
Over the years, as her mother’s condition progressed, the family relocated to a retirement home in Ottawa, eventually transitioning to specialized care as her needs increased. Despite her diminishing cognitive abilities, the folk art calendar remained a constant presence, symbolizing enduring familial ties.
As Alzheimer’s took its toll, Robichaud’s mother reached a stage where she could no longer engage with the calendar or appreciate its contents. Despite the challenges of witnessing her decline, Robichaud continues the tradition of purchasing the calendar annually, finding solace and purpose in sharing the familiar images with her mother.
In the face of her mother’s advanced state of illness, marked by periods of disorientation and detachment, Robichaud finds comfort in the continuity of the calendar ritual. The act of turning each page and recounting the stories behind the artwork serves as a meaningful connection to their shared past and family traditions.
While verbal communication is no longer feasible, Robichaud believes that the gesture of gifting the calendar conveys a deeper message of love and serves as a source of comfort for her mother. As she navigates the complexities of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, the calendar represents a tangible expression of her enduring spiritual beliefs and a beacon of hope amid challenging circumstances.