Where the Light Gets In
Losing My Mother Only to Find Her Again
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4.6 • 169 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
“The relationship between a mother and daughter is one of the most complicated and meaningful there is. Kimberly Williams-Paisley writes about her own with grace, truth, and beauty as she shares her journey back to her mother in the wake of a devastating illness.” —Brooke Shields
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this moving yet disturbing memoir, actress Williams-Paisley shares the story of her life and tells of her mother's struggle with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a brain disease for which there is no treatment or cure. The author, the eldest of three children, grew up in a close family. Her parents were initially both journalists; later, her mother went to work as a fund-raiser for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Linda Williams had always been her daughter's "private applause section," cheering her on from childhood belly flops at the pool to later acting parts (including her first major role in the Father of the Bride remake). In her early 60s, however, Linda begins to show disconcerting signs of memory loss, and is diagnosed with PPA in 2005. After Williams-Paisley's marriage to well-known country singer Brad Paisley, the couple moves to Tennessee, but she remains involved in her mother's life in Rye, N.Y., and as a "long-distance caregiver" struggles to lend support along with her father and siblings. Though they initially hope to keep the disease secret, it's soon clear that the family needs outside help. Realizing that she has lost her "old mom," Williams-Paisley moves beyond denial and grief to develop a surprisingly joyful bond with a "new" mother who eventually must be placed in a care-giving facility. This intimate memoir concludes with a resources section that will be helpful to families facing the devastation of dementia.
Customer Reviews
Love it
This was first book l read in a long time it was funny intriguing and easy pain knowing l has lost my mom to the same illness l have empathy for the write emotion.
A very moving tribute to a mother lost in illness
In some ways, I identified with the story of this family dealing with a form of dementia. My mother had vascular dementia. Lucid occasionally, in her fantasy world others. It’s a book written with a lot of love, pain, & varying amounts of acceptance. I get that.
Heartbreakingly touching
It’s a difficult read, but so worth it! I was invested immediately