We’re excited to welcome Christie Wood to spotlight her life-changing journey through the dark world of Alzheimer’s. Her novel exposes the enormous struggles alongside the fleeting triumphs of caring for a loved one who suffers of this disease. For those who believe there is a reason for everything, enjoy the feature on A Town of Mabel’s! –Jo Grafford, Highlighted Author Co-Hostess
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All About Christie
Christie Wood traveled through the world of Alzheimer’s with her Mother. She is currently on that journey with her sister. She lost her sense of humor on the first journey; she is determined to recover it on this one. Christie lives in southern California with her husband of 36 years and is about to become a grandmother for the first time.
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A Town of Mabel’s
I began to write a book about my mother’s life. As she descended further and further into a disease called Alzheimer’s, my writing morphed into questions of: Why her? Why this disease? Why our family? Am I at risk, my daughter? It became a search to get to know a woman and her history, not only to honor her, but to understand her disease. It’s my story of how I met her with a smile; a willingness to accept her wherever she was on any given day. Without a doubt my story leaves me one conclusion, although I am my mother’s daughter, I do not need her disease.
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Balboa Press | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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Excerpt
“How is your mom doing?” friends often ask. I never ever know what to say. It is my nature to always try and make people feel better. I used to believe this was my way of being liked, but I have learned it is genuine of me to actually want to be kind. So to answer this question with any amount of truth is next to impossible for me.
So I say, “The same.” She is in this or that stage of Alzheimer’s, but her appetite is good. She is happy, content. Some folks want me to elaborate, or there is a lull in the conversation mostly because they have no idea what to say next, so I sometimes throw in details like these: “She lights up when she gets ice cream.” “She has never gone through that angry stage, so we feel blessed.” This is not exactly the truth. I was with her as we withdrew her (cold turkey) from antidepressants. She was angry then, and she just missed my face with her clenched fist. Immediately she stopped herself and reached for me, saying that she was sorry, that she would never hurt me! She had no idea who I was, but like most visits she knew that I was someone she loved and someone who loved her.
Prior to my cold-turkey visit I had spent five days with her and thought those days would be my last time spent with her. I thought this almost every time that I saw her. I was reduced to uncontrollable sobs alone in my car after I left her on the fifth day. What was the trigger for the depth of my rage? She sat at a table with three other Alzheimer’s patients eating their dinner. Some needed assistance; she did not at that time. This would change by my next visit. I had knelt down beside her and told her that I had to go. She said, “I wish you didn’t.” This like almost everything that she said surprised me. My family and I were not accustomed to her talking much, and when she did, it did not always make sense. Although at that time, it still sounded like English. This, too, would change by my next visit. I replied that I would be back. As I did, she reached for my face, cupping my cheek in her palm. I felt the softness of her hand, my eye caught the wrinkled spotted skin—her hand, with its long, boney fingers, nails painted red, a color applied by the staff that she had not worn on her nails since the forties, and I let the tears run down my cheeks. I reached up and gently placed my hand over top of hers as if I was moving in slow motion, and I let it rest there on my cheek. I moved toward her and leaned into kiss her cheek and told her that I loved her. As her dinner mates, my sister, a speech therapist, and a wife of another patient looked on we all were captured in a moment so much more powerful than any disease. This was a moment of pure love, and nothing could keep it away, not even Alzheimer’s. By the time I reached my car, I could barely walk. I was shaken to the core with grief. In the safety of my car, locked in, sound-proofed and alone, the rage I felt at this disease poured out of me as if I were bleeding it.
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Reviews
- “Shared memories sew people together. “In a Town of Mabel’s,” Christie Wood tenderly but honestly faces the reality of the disease which cruelly and callously unraveled the memories and finally took the life of her mother. As much a story of family as of Alzheimer’s, Christie reweaves another tale, one of courage, care and ultimately, unconditional love. I love this book and its beautiful message of faith and kindness.” —Maria Hall-Brown, Executive Producer, PBS SoCaL | PBS for Greater Los Angeles
- This book is open and honest about family struggles. The writing is personal. You are invited into the family experience of a daughter coming to terms with her mother having Alzheimer’s and then coming to find her sister on that same difficult path. The story places value on love and understanding to help to endure and overcome family trials. It’s an encouraging book, as it shows how relationships can grow in new and meaningful ways. A worthwhile read. —Myra Mycena PhD, Speaker, columnist for The Orange County Register and Radio Host “Wake up & Live Your Life.”
- A Town of Mabel’s is a heartfelt step into the world of Alzheimer’s and a walk into the early life of the author and her colorful family. Within the first 5 pages I was caught up in the story and could not put the book down. Many kudos to this new author. —Linda Axtell Thompson, South Orange County Women’s Book Club
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