Arizona Jewish Life is the only lifestyle magazine for and about the Jewish community of Arizona.

Page 58

Dr. Mirissa Price

ACTIVELY SENIOR My Mom Has Dementia, And I Have Her Jewish Faith By Dr. Mirissa Price

I

wish I had more time. These six words sit with me every day and night as I watch my mother decline into dementia. At age 29, I never thought I would have to help my mom get dressed in the morning. I never thought I would have to cook for her and remind her to take her pills, or go driving through the streets of Tucson looking for a blonde woman who went wandering away when I wasn’t looking. I never thought I would lose my mom so young. I never thought I wouldn’t have time to have her see me get a first job, fall in love, or have children. I never thought I wouldn’t have time. My mom’s Hebrew name is Sarah, named after one of the four matriarchs of Israel. In Jewish Law, my faith, my culture, my heritage and place in this world come from my mother. With a father who is Lutheran, she is quite

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE


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