Where the Light Gets In
Paperback, 272 pages
Published April 11th 2017 by Three Rivers Press
Many know Kimberly Williams-Paisley as the bride in the popular Steve Martin remakes of the Father of the Bride movies, the calculating Peggy Kenter on Nashville, or the wife of country music artist, Brad Paisley. But behind the scenes, Kim was dealing with a tragic secret: her mother, Linda, was suffering from a rare form of dementia that slowly crippled her ability to talk, write and eventually recognize people in her own family.
Where the Light Gets In tells the full story of Linda's illness--called primary progressive aphasia--from her early-onset diagnosis at the age of 62 through the present day. Kim draws a candid picture of the ways her family reacted for better and worse, and how she, her father and two siblings educated themselves, tried to let go of shame and secrecy, made mistakes, and found unexpected humor and grace in the midst of suffering.
Ultimately the bonds of family were strengthened, and Kim learned ways to love and accept the woman her mother became. With a moving foreword by actor and advocate Michael J. Fox, Where the Light Gets In is a heartwarming tribute to the often fragile yet unbreakable relationships we have with our mothers.
First line—"Our pale blue station wagon fishtailed down a hill on icy snow."
Where the Light Gets In is a very touching, emotional story of a family deeply affected by a very rare form of dementia. Dementia and Alzheimer's are illnesses that are a part of so many families now. Almost everyone has been touched by them in some way. I personally had two family member who had Alzheimer's. It's tough seeing loved ones go through such decline.
The author shares with us the thoughts, emotions, and ups and downs she went through as her mother starts to decline, when they finally get a diagnosis, and as she learns to deal with and accept the way her mother's life is changing. I just love this line—"I need to see her as she is, instead of how I want her to be." as it could be a lesson to all families who find themselves going through this.
It was both heartbreaking and reassuring to read of another family's struggle as I realized that I was not alone and that other people are going through the same fears and doubts as a loved one is slowly being lost to us.
I received an ARC copy of Where the Light Gets In in exchange for my honest opinion.
About the author
Kimberly Williams-Paisley is an actress, writer and advocate for dementia research and caregivers. She and her husband, country artist, Brad Paisley, live in Tennessee with their two sons and two dogs.
Connect with Kimberly
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