Counsellor in Fleet, Hampshire
My Mum is in late stages of Vascular Dementia and this weekend talking with family it dawned on me that this year will be the first year I will not spend Christmas with my Mum! It hit me without warning and a deep sadness engulfed all of me. I stopped what I was doing and simply froze to the spot and felt the grief throughout my heart and soul. Continue reading “Living with Grief”
A hollow emptiness of days and hours
has heightened Jane’s dependence on my love.
Now spaniel like, she dogs my every move –
craving attention. Fine – but anger lowers! Continue reading “Dementia Sonnet 7 – Smothered Synapse”
Confabulation borne, sights sought in thought
tumble, erratic, from her wandering mind,
people by ‘people’ of the phantom kind,
with strange embroidered fiction, finely wrought. Continue reading “Dementia Sonnet 5 – People”
Many in the past have asked this question and I expect many more will ask in the future. Here are my thoughts on what makes us human.
Compassion, kindness and understanding, our ability to love and equally our ability to hate. Our rational thoughts and processes, which drive us consciously and unconsciously. Continue reading “What makes us Human?”
Whilst I was healing my inner child I was losing my Mum to Dementia. As her mind slowly deteriorated to the disease I would talk to her to try and find out details of the childhood I have no memory of. I wanted details of who I was as her child and I wanted proof that my wounded inner child was not my fault and that it was OK to heal and let go of the past. Continue reading “Healing my Inner Child”
I am a shielding counsellor! Since 13th March 2020 I have been shielding at home with my family. During this time I have continued working in my private practise, Caroline Ellison Counselling and as a volunteer counsellor for the Fountain Centre at St Luke’s, Royal Surrey Hospital, meeting with clients each week over the telephone and online using Zoom. Continue reading “A Shielding Counsellor”
I picked our album up and leafing through
photos of family, holidays and fun,
was saddened by the haunting change in one
robbed of the verve and vibrancy I knew – Continue reading “Dementia Sonnet 4 – Never Mind”
My yesterday did not exist at all;
tomorrow an enigma, while today
I wonder as I while the hours away
if any visitor should come to call. Continue reading “Dementia Sonnet 3 – Shepard and Shadow”
Listening to tearful nonsense is a chore,
when something urgent could or should be done.
But wandering minds can’t bear to be alone –
nor space begrudge without a silent roar. Continue reading “Dementia Sonnet 2 – Flailing”
Knowing the known is known, though sentient fact,
affords no explanation, yields no clue
how best to cope – in essence what to do
where fogged cognition misconstrues each act. Continue reading “Dementia Sonnet 1 – Knowing”
