26 December 2025
Good Morning Everyone,
I want to thank you again for all your wonderful letters of support. Dementia has touched so many lives. Anyone living with a partner or parent knows that, like those sad events in Bird World, we do not anticipate the tragedies that will befall us.
As I last wrote, my husband’s Lewy Body Dementia had, for an unknown reason, taken a sudden turn for the worse. Today I sadly had to have him removed from the home and taken to a hospital for an evaluation – he had become increasingly violent. While he is there, I have to find him a place to live. This is not easy as it is still the holidays and public spaces are full. Thankfully, my entire neighbourhood, our joint friends, and our daughter Jaine are helping me. I am so grateful for their love and help.
I had hoped, as you know, that Ann and I would be able to curtail any issues and he could remain at home til the end of either his life or mine. It has been the most devastating day of my life, and I say that having had to bury my youngest son after he died from a car accident.
Because of these difficulties, I also do not know when I will be able to report back on our birds. I am hoping that Gabby and Beau will have a wee one to cheer me up soon! Pip watch for our NE Florida couple begins tomorrow.
SE26 is doing well. Rain began there and it appears SE27 will not hatch. I can see only one eaglet for Captiva so far and at Dade County the bonking had slowed for a bit. Fingers crossed for them. The parents are good providers although the presence of Coot on a nest – or any waterfowl – gives me unease due to Avian Flu.
SE26. Strong little eaglet.
Girri is also doing well. Screaming at the adults for prey. How fortunate we are to see this strong fledgling out of Diamond’s scrape.
Please keep us in your warm thoughts, and if you are prone to pray, then please say a prayer for us. It is a very difficult time. Thank you.
I send my condolences and prayers for comfort to you, although I know no amount of words will help ease the pain. I am sorry to hear of these struggles, especially during the holiday season when we all hope for cheer and merriment. I hope that any warm and wonderful memories help to provide some comfort to you and your loved ones during the difficult moments now and ahead. Thank for you for all you do, it is much appreciated. Xx
Oh, Lailh, thank you for reaching out to me with your message of support. I have more than forty years of memories, and I am so grateful that we did a photo shoot just a few weeks ago. I don’t know why I pushed so hard for it then, but I do know now. Dementia is like death. I keep hearing a noise, and I think it is Don in the house. I look over at his spot on the sofa, and it is like he is there. It will take time to process all of this. But it will get there…I love him dearly, and I need to be strong. I am grateful to The Girls and to dear little Toby who clings to me like cling film.
Oh Mary Ann!😭 My heart goes out to you. I do hope you find a place close by so that Toby and you can walk there and visit. Keeping you, Don, and your family, and extended family, in my prayers 🙏
Thank you so much, Reets. I hope so. There are many people working to help my husband and, in the end, it helps me. I hope that he is close but no matter where he is, I will insist that Toby can come visit him. I wish the cats were more agreeable!
Oh Mary Ann I’m so sorry to hear this. God Bless you and your family and I will keep you all in my prayers 🙏
May he get better with help there and we understand that you will not be able to do as much right now on keeping up with the birds. Please update on you’ll when you can.
Linda 🙏
Thank you so much for your care and concern, Linda. I am so appreciative of the support and love from all the Bird World family.
Dear Mary Ann, you have been in my thoughts and prayers and now even moreso. I can hardly imagine what you’re going through, and hope you’re able to find a place for your husband that is nearby. Just know how much you’re loved and cared about! 🙏
Thank you so much. It turns out that I have a wonderful team behind me that will help resolve all of the issues which is more than I ever dremed.
Mary Ann , my thoughts are with you, I pray for your family to receive all the help, love and support you need.
All the birds worldwide that you have always advocated for send their love and support too 💕🦅🦅🦅💕
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Cristi. I believe that the energy generated by my readers is having a positive outcome on my husband’s condition and our lives. I am overwhelmed by your kindness.
Dear Sweet Lady, My heart goes out to you and what you’re going through..I understand Dementia / alzheimers, Took care of my Mom for 10 yrs, then suddenly got Breast Cancer and passed in 2019..Yes very difficult choices to make…Love to you from down here in eastern Pa
Dear JanMarie, Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I totally understand how challenging your life was caring for your mother, but at the same time, the sheer joy and love of doing so and the emptiness when they are no longer there. I am hopeful that the team at the hospital will find the best treatment and placement or Don. While my heart wants him to come home, my head tells me that this is not going to happen and I have to begin processing that reality. I hope you have a wonderful 2026 —-send me your most memorable nest story! Please.