Nicole Robichaud, a lawyer and caregiver in Ottawa, shares her experience with a cherished family tradition involving a folk art calendar that has been a constant in her family for nearly three decades. The calendar, a recurring Christmas gift, holds sentimental value as it brings back memories of joyful holiday seasons spent with her parents and brother in Toronto.

In 2015, Nicole’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 68, having previously supported her own father through the same illness. Despite the challenges of the disease progressing over the years, with her mother eventually moving to a memory care facility in Ottawa, the tradition of the folk art calendar remained steadfast.

As Alzheimer’s took its toll, Nicole’s mother’s ability to engage with the calendar diminished, and she reached a point where she could no longer appreciate the vibrant images. Despite these changes, Nicole continued to order the calendar annually, finding solace in the routine it provided during her visits to her mother, who now spends most of her time in a state of altered consciousness.

For Nicole, the calendar symbolizes a connection to her mother’s past and serves as a form of spiritual expression, offering a sense of purpose and continuity amid the uncertainties brought about by the disease. Despite the limitations imposed by Alzheimer’s, Nicole believes that the act of sharing this tradition conveys love and fosters a sense of familiarity and comfort for her mother.

As she looks ahead to the new year, Nicole remains committed to upholding this tradition, viewing it as a way to honor her mother’s legacy and maintain a sense of stability and hope amidst the challenges of their changing relationship.