Conversations with My Mother

MEET MY MOTHER

Petronella Miyanda Dyamini

This story is about the strongest, bravest woman I know, who chose to follow her heart, mind and soul. She loved and fought fiercely for all whom she loved so that they could lead a better life than she could ever dream of.

There are many super heroes in this world like her and many of you will relate to this story and journey. This is our story.

My mother – Petronella Miyanda Dyamini.

These daily conversations with my mother are my journey to accepting her incurable condition – Parkinson’s & Lewy Body Dementia.

How do you grieve a person you can still talk to but not touch due to Covid19? How do you plan a funeral for your mother when she is right here? How do you still love yourself after putting her in a home for full-time care when growing up you remember her telling you and your sisters that she NEVER wants to end up in a retirement home?

I cannot promise you a happy story full of joy and laughter, where the girl meets her prince, they have beautiful children, have amazing careers and live happily ever after. However, I can promise you my truth, my mother’s truth and the loving moments, the angry ones the ones fuelled by hate – Lord knows there were many of those. I hate Parkinson’s & Dementia, in all its forms. I hated that my mother had this disease and that one day, meant that I wouldn’t even be a memory in her mind. I would be a stranger.  My foundation, my back bone started with bipolar, I hated her for not taking her medication and stripping my late teenage years as I took it upon myself to look after the family when her employers terminated her job for not being capable to work. F*#k them! I stood by her. She is after all the reason my sisters, our children and I walk this earth today.