Paperback, 208 pages
Published June 1st 2019 by B Books
|
Sometimes, life takes you places you don’t want
to go.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s is a journey no one wants to take,
yet life doesn’t give us a choice. Author Mike Glenn's mom didn’t want to
be sick, and while she couldn’t overcome the devastation of disease, she wasn’t
going down without a fight.
She fought the illness, denying its presence. She fought the
doctors, “Who were these idiots anyway?” And she fought him, “How come you
think you’re in charge now?”
Coffee
with Mom is a book about a mom's fight with dementia and the
struggle of a son who wanted to help but didn’t always know how. Most of their
conversations—and sometimes battles—happened during morning coffee.
This book isn’t about knowing all of the answers. It is one
son’s journey with his mom—a mom with Alzheimer’s and a son who did the best he
could, and who wrote this story in hopes that you’ll find a few laughs for your
journey, realize you’re not alone, and find the courage to do the best you can.
So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us on the
journey. You’ll find yourself in the laughter and tears of not knowing what to
do next and making a decision that you hope works out, knowing it’s the best
you can do in the moment.
In the end, that’s all that matters. “Do the best you can” is
all love requires.
Mike
Glenn is the Senior Pastor
of Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tennessee. Under his leadership since
1991, the church has grown to a church with eight campuses and a membership of
over 11,000. He graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Glenn has
written two books, In Real Time and The Gospel of Yes, and writes frequently on his
blog, MikeGlennOnline.com, and for Patheos.com. He is married to
Jeannie, his wife and best friend of 37 years. They have twin sons, Chris (Deb)
and Craig (Nan), and three granddaughters, Mackenzie, Rowen, and Brooklyn.
My Review
4 STARS!!!
4 STARS!!!
I found Coffee with Mom to be an
extremely candid look at a son’s experience of caring for his mother
through the last years of dementia. Glenn explains how we perceive it is going
to be but in actuality how it really is. Of course, everyone’s experience won’t
be exactly the same but there are enough similarities that I feel this book
might need to be a ‘must-read’ for anyone in the roll of long term caregiver.
I read this book in small doses because my heart twisted at some of the recollections. My husband and I experienced similar emotional pain through the years with our daughter who was physically and mentally challenged. I appreciate Glenn’s honesty and transparency and it encouraged me not to go back and second guess any decisions my husband and I made. Even in the midst of life’s greatest trials, there is humor to be found (we know that for a fact) and Glenn displays a keen wit. Really, his mom was a hoot. I’m so glad he wrote this book!
As I read along, I couldn’t help but share passages with my husband (okay, I basically read
the book to him) because 1) our own experience and the ensuing years of
grief and healing and 2) he has a co-worker (CW) who is a co-caregiver to both
parents who have Alzheimer’s. He said CW has confided a few of these same
emotional and physical challenges of caring for his parents. My husband told me
he thinks he is now better prepared to pray for and encourage CW through this
challenging time.
I appreciate Lifeway and B&H sending me a copy for review purposes. No compensation has been received.
That sounds eminently readable, particularly if one is a Carer.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely a great encouragement for caregivers! I also think it's good for everyone because we never know what the future holds and may find ourselves caring for someone, or as in my husbands case, supporting a friend who is a caregiver. It's just an all-around good book to read!
DeleteThanks for sharing this. I'm active in a local organization that supports caregivers, who need all the support that can be given.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've found it helpful. :)
Delete