After nearly three decades, the tradition of gifting a folk art calendar to Nicole Robichaud’s mother remains a cherished Christmas ritual in their family. Growing up in Toronto, the holiday season was always a joyful time for Robichaud, her parents, and her brother. The art calendar gift held a special place in her mother’s heart, with December’s festive snow scenes being a favorite.
In 2015, at the age of 68, Robichaud’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Despite knowing what lay ahead from her experience caring for her own father with the same condition, she remained positive and cheerful, even as the disease progressed over the years.
As the disease advanced, Robichaud’s parents relocated to a retirement home in Ottawa, and later, her mother moved to the memory care floor. Despite her declining health and ability to engage with the calendar, it continued to accompany her through each move.
Robichaud witnessed her mother’s cognitive decline, reaching a point where she could no longer appreciate the calendar’s images. Despite the challenges of interacting with her mother in her current state of limited responsiveness, Robichaud found purpose in continuing the tradition of gifting the calendar each year.
For Robichaud, the annual act of showing her mother the calendar and reminiscing about its significance serves as a meaningful connection to their shared past and family traditions. It symbolizes a constant in their evolving relationship and provides a sense of comfort and continuity amidst the changes brought about by Alzheimer’s.
Through this simple gesture, Robichaud expresses her love for her mother and her belief that the gift conveys a message of connection and familiarity, creating a sense of home and love in her mother’s environment. In the face of a challenging and unpredictable disease, the calendar ritual offers Robichaud a way to maintain a sense of purpose, comfort, and hope as she navigates the journey with her mother.