I started a new blog today, called Mary Jane's Makeup. It's named after my mom. I don't have the heart to write again here why I started it, so I'm showing you what I posted there today. Your support means the world to me. Seriously.
xo Stacy
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This blog is going to be about fun stuff - makeup, shoes, jewelry, and all things beautiful. But before I get to that, by way of introduction, I'm going to write the hardest post I have ever written (and I have over 600 on my other blog).
This is my mom, about 4 years ago, before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Her mother had it, too, so we knew it was a strong possibility that she would get it. Even so, we ignored the early signs, writing them off as her just being silly, as a product of her Dyslexia, etc.
Because we SO didn't want her to have it.
You all probably know the signs and risk factors. If you don't, you can learn more here.
One of the worst things about this disease, in my opinion, is how it makes the patient feel. Yes, it is hell for the family and for the caregivers, but it is worse for her. A lot of people say differently, but I just don't agree. These are things my mom has said:
"I don't feel like myself."
"I don't know who I am."
"I'm losing myself."
"I'm losing myself."
"I feel like I'm losing my soul."
n
n
Tough to hear, and even tougher to feel.
So I'm writing this blog to act in the only way I can - to help raise funds for research.
Why beauty you ask? Because my mom is beautiful. And she always loved everything about beauty - clothes, makeup, jewelery, etc., just like I do.
The first truly beautiful thing I ever knew was my mother. I remember being a small child and sitting on her bed on Saturday evenings to watch her get ready to go out. I fell in love with the routine, the clothes, the ornamentation, the beauty of it all.
Now she can't dress herself, never mind wear makeup. But I will always remember her the way I saw her as a child - the true Mary Jane.
Now she can't dress herself, never mind wear makeup. But I will always remember her the way I saw her as a child - the true Mary Jane.
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| My parents with my children, about 4 years ago |
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| My mom with my daughter, also 4 years ago |
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| With my daughter, 2 or 3 years ago |
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God, I still need and miss you Mom.
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I hope you choose to follow along on this journey with me. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for patronizing my sponsors - much of the proceeds will go to the Mayo Clinic to fund Alzheimer's research (As much as I can afford. I expect to give more to the charity the first year than I make on the blog, since it is new. If things change, i.e., I actually make some money for charity on this blog, I'll let you know. My charity of choice at the moment is the Mayo Clinic.) And I promise, this will be the only sad post.
xo Stacy
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So, that's it. The new blog! I'm extremely sad today, having just written that first post, but also excited about it, and I'll be better soon. Thank you all so much for reading. If you want to visit the new blog, you can click below:
