In this personal account by Gavin Crawford, host of the CBC podcast Let’s Not Be Kidding, a mix of humor and sadness unfolds as he recalls his mother’s experience with memory loss, particularly her diminishing interest in shopping. Despite her previous penchant for browsing without buying, a significant shift occurred when she lost enthusiasm for mall visits.
Reflecting on a past incident at a shopping center where his mother’s nonchalant response to a gas leak evacuation amused him, Gavin vividly illustrates her shopping habits. Over time, as her memory declined, her disinterest in shopping became a poignant indicator of her diagnosis.
During a Christmas visit in Toronto, Gavin noticed a change in his mother’s behavior at the Eaton Centre, signaling a departure from their usual shopping routines. As her condition progressed, conversations with her became repetitive loops, yet Gavin and his husband, Kyle, embraced the holiday season with elaborate decorations, including a stunning Christmas tree that never failed to captivate his mother’s attention.
Despite the challenges of Alzheimer’s, the joy on his mother’s face each time she saw the Christmas tree anew brought both heartache and laughter. Gavin fondly remembers her persistent encouragement to market the tree invention, finding solace in those bittersweet moments. As he cherishes these memories following her passing, Gavin credits his husband for the inspired holiday decor that brought unexpected delight to his mother in her final Christmas season.