As Long as I Know You
The Mom Book
Format:Paperback
Publisher:University of Georgia Press
Published:15th Sep '22
Currently unavailable, our supplier has not provided us a restock date
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This compelling narrative explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter, particularly during the challenges of aging and dementia in As Long as I Know You.
In As Long as I Know You, Anne-Marie Oomen shares her deeply personal journey of understanding her mother amidst the challenges of aging and dementia. The narrative captures the complex relationship between a mother and daughter who have struggled to connect over the years. Oomen's exploration is not just about the difficulties of caregiving, but also about the moments of humor and compassion that emerge in the face of adversity. As she navigates the painful reality of her mother's declining health, Oomen reflects on the bittersweet memories that shape their bond.
The book delves into the universal experience of caring for aging parents, particularly during a time when many are grappling with similar issues. Oomen's candid storytelling resonates with readers who may find themselves in a similar situation, facing the daunting task of providing care for a loved one who is both familiar and increasingly distant. The narrative is enriched by Oomen's insights into the emotional toll of this journey, revealing the layers of love, frustration, and acceptance that define their relationship.
Ultimately, As Long as I Know You serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of familial love. It invites readers to reflect on their own relationships with their parents, encouraging a deeper understanding of the challenges and joys that come with caring for those we cherish. Through her story, Oomen offers a map to navigate the often turbulent waters of caregiving, highlighting the importance of connection even in the face of loss.
There is a brave intimacy in As Long as I Know You: The Mom Book. Such a thorough, deep remembrance casts its gaze not only on those who have passed but the devastation of loss itself. Laced into these exquisite sentences is a lesson for us all on how to honor a life.
-- Aimee Nezhukumatathil * author of World of Wonders *In this courageous, poetic, grief-stricken book, Anne-Marie Oomen recounts the story of her mother’s final years and of how mother and daughter struggled through a difficult, life-long relationship. Oomen reminds us that dying is work, both physical and emotional, for both the patient and her loved ones. In the end, there isn’t reconciliation but something perhaps even more profound: understanding.
-- Amy Hoffman * author of Lies about My Family *The immediacy of love, the urgency of forgiveness, the depths of grief are all here rendered in a prose as beautifully improvisational as the love of a grown child for a fractious, beloved, failing parent. Oomen's lyric recollections are a sacred harvest of what can be kept and an acknowledgment of what must be surrendered. Both wrenching and buoyant, particular and expansive, this is personal writing at its very best.
-- Richard Hoffman * Half the House and Love & Fu- Commended for Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards (Autobiography/Memoir) 2022
ISBN: 9780820362540
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
208 pages