Remembering Penn's Mom: Grief, Laughter & Our "Death Wishes"

My mom passed away last week after a very long battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia. If you’ve ever loved someone through this disease, you probably understand how complicated that grief can be. There is sadness and loss, but there can also be relief (and guilt for feeling that relief.) I’ve been around Alzheimer’s for almost 40 years, and I’m still learning that all of those feelings can exist at the same time.

My Mom was a doer, a giver, and someone who spent her life serving her family and her community. And in one final act of service, she donated her brain to Alzheimer’s research. Knowing that her gift could help families like ours someday is an incredible source of hope.

We talked about all of this in the show and we also found ourselves laughing through grief. We discovered that writing an obituary can really make you question your own life accomplishments, discussed what food should be served in our memory, and learned that the preferred vehicle for riding into the great beyond is a Chrysler Pacifica.

One of the greatest gifts my mom left us was her detailed “death wishes.” She made her choices known so we didn’t have to make them for her. It made me realize that talking about what you want after you’re gone doesn’t have to be morbid. It can actually be an incredible act of love for the people you leave behind.

Thank you for the outpouring of love you’ve given us since this news broke. We are so lucky to have you here. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.

For more information on Alzheimer’s Brain Donation

Our guide to Write Your Own “Death Wishes”

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