08/16/2026
In an effort to balance out the highlight reel nature of social media, here’s some reality. On Friday night, my husband Jason and I were at a formal event. At the end of the night, I got a call from the inpatient rehabilitation center where mom had been receiving therapy after a hospital stay. She’d fallen during a transfer and they suspected a fracture. So we raced home quickly from Murfreesboro to change out of our formal wear on the way to the ED in Columbia, where it was confirmed that she had fractured her tibia and fibula and the tibia was displaced. Yesterday she had surgery to place a rod and repair the tibia. Today she will attempt some PT.
The last six months have been filled with challenges like these. Mom had lived with us for about 7 years. She had been diagnosed with dementia and mild Alzheimer’s and her mobility had been declining gradually. In February she was hospitalized, then went to inpatient rehab, and since her mobility had declined so much, we had to move her to assisted living. This is currently her third hospitalization since February. Each time is harder and harder for her to bounce back from. It’s been hard on her. Really hard on her.
It’s also been hard on me. They call this “The Sandwich Generation” - the generation that is raising young children while also caretaking aging parents. It’s a daily struggle to care for my mom with dignity and grace, while also balancing being a mother to my sweet girl, a wife to my dear husband, a friend to those I love, and a photographer and who is attempting to grow her business and serve her clients well. Most days, I feel like I’m failing everyone. But I’m doing my best. I’m so grateful for the support of my circle of people, and the grace they show me. If you are also in this place, I see you. It’s not for the faint of heart. And if you are waiting on a gallery, I promise you I’m working on it. Thank you for your patience. 💜