My Mother And Other Secrets

Local Description

'An interesting, moving and searingly honest account of a complicated relationship between a mother and daughter.  In the author’s own words, when she started writing this book 'it was a simple memoir of my mother’s interesting life and a guide for people dealing with dementia'.  It evolved, due to intensive research into family history, as not only her mother’s story, but a really interesting commentary on what life was like for New Zealand women in general in the mid-20th century – thank goodness we have come so far!

Personally, as a daughter, coping with a mother’s dementia and often feeling helpless in the face of it, I found Wendyl’s story very comforting, but….this is not just a book that people in this situation should read!  The last chapter that gives vital information on 'advance directives' – a legal document that indicates what we wish to happen to us, should we permanently, no longer have the capacity to make or communicate decisions about medical treatment.  We should ALL be thinking and discussing with our loved ones what we would want (and creating a legal document) to inform medical staff of our wishes.  This is an act of love.

Possibly, the most important book I have read in a long time.  Thank you Wendyl. Prue

Description

Uncovering old family secrets leads Wendyl Nissen to a better understanding of her mother.