Nicole Robichaud, a lawyer and caregiver in Ottawa, reflects on the enduring tradition of a folk art calendar in her family. Nearly three decades ago, the calendar became a staple Christmas gift for her mother, a tradition upheld by the family each year.
For Robichaud, who grew up in Toronto, the holiday season was always a joyous time shared with her parents and brother. The art calendar held a special place in her mother’s heart, who would meticulously admire the vibrant paintings, with December’s snow-filled scenes being her favorite.
In 2015, at the age of 68, Robichaud’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Despite the challenges that came with the progressive illness, she maintained a positive outlook, drawing from her past experience caring for her own father with the same condition.
Over the years, as the disease advanced, Robichaud’s parents relocated to a retirement home in Ottawa, eventually moving her mother to the memory care floor. Despite her mother’s declining health and cognitive abilities, the calendar remained a constant presence in her life, moving with her to each new living arrangement.
As her mother’s condition deteriorated, Robichaud found solace in the familiar routine of ordering the calendar annually. Even as her mother’s ability to engage with the gift diminished, Robichaud continued to share the monthly artwork with her during visits, cherishing the connection to their shared tradition.
In the face of the profound changes brought on by Alzheimer’s, the calendar symbolized a steadfast link to the past and a source of comfort for Robichaud. Each year, the act of turning the page and sharing the artwork with her mother served as a poignant reminder of their enduring bond and family traditions.
Despite the heartbreaking realities of the disease, Robichaud finds meaning and purpose in the simple act of continuing the tradition, believing that the love and care imbued in the gift transcend the limitations imposed by Alzheimer’s. As she looks ahead to the next year, she finds hope and solace in the ritual of changing the calendar page, a small yet significant gesture of love and connection to her mother.