Dear Editor,
April Hudson has always been a writer. At the age 79, her dream of publishing her memoirs has finally become a reality.
April has been a well-known resident in the small northern Vermont town. A true craftsman and artist, she opened a ceramic teaching studio and designed her own line called Hudsonware. She also learned the fine art of restoring porcelain dolls, bringing many broken, forgotten figurines back to life and selling them at her antiques store. An avid believer in giving back to her community, April served as the first female town zoning administrator in Island Pond and also served as Chaplain for the local Order of the Eastern Star for over 30 years.
When Alzheimer’s began to steal her mother’s memory, and after her father passed, April brought her mother to Island Pond to live with her. She wrote the stories of her life as a full-time caregiver, written in layman’s language and woven with inspiration, insight and advice learned the hands-on way. In her newly-released book, “Things I Want Remembered by Those I Will Never Forget,” April shares the compelling accounts of caring for her mother while the disease took its toll and her mother was caught in a medical system that disqualified her for extended care. At times feeling totally alone, April searched the crevasses of society for help for her mother, as well as for her own sanity.
Interspersed in the 300-page book, April also shares her stories and photos of growing up in small-town Vermont among a cast of characters she lovingly calls her family. Married at a young age, her depictions of young love, followed by heartbreak and the struggle of being a single mother will resonate with readers. “You will laugh, you will cry, you will cheer,” wrote one reviewer.
A journey of fortitude, courage and love, these stories are a must read for anyone interested in or dealing with Alzheimers, dementia, old age or being a caregiver for an aging relative. Publishing these memoirs has been both a dream come true and, more importantly, a labor of love as she documented her life to leave a legacy for her daughters, granddaughter, and great-grandchildren.
April’s family will personally relate to the stories of those they knew, but anyone reading this book will experience the same range of emotions expressed in these beautifully crafted memoirs.
“Things I Want Remembered by Those I Will Never Forget” is available at several local bookstores as well as on Amazon.com.
Cindy Phillips,
Island Pond
