Hello,
I’m Carol O’Dell, and I’m the author of Mothering Mother: A Daughter’s Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir. I’m a a family advisor at Caring.com and I write my blog, Mothering Mother and More based on my experiences as my mom’s caregiver. For years, I was a sandwich generation mom. My mother had Parkinson’s and heart disease, and later she developed Alzheimer’s. We became a multi-generational household complete with my mother, my daughters, my husband, me–and a few dogs and cats thrown in the mix!
It was wild and crazy time. It was also a tough time. I learned a lot about myself–who I am as a woman, a person, and what it means to care for those we love in a way that encompasses dignity, grace, purpose, and passion.
Since then, my book has been read by thousands, and I’m honored to know that my story helps others get through their caregiving journey. I’ve been featured on CNN, Fox, and other major network and radio affiliates around the country. I now write blogs about family and caregiving issues for many great companies. If you’d like to inquire about my blog writing services, please contact www.IonLeap.com
More about Carol D. O’Dell:
“I was adopted at age four to Southern, fundamentalist parents
in their mid-fifties—what more could a writer want?”
Carol D. O’Dell’s world changed the day she was adopted. Taken from Daytona Beach to Atlanta and raised by adoring parents of a fiery faith, Carol was steeped in Bible stories and bedtime stories. She is drawn to the Southern, the reverent and irreverent found in art, nature, faith, and man.
“Carol D. O’Dell’s gripping memoir Mothering Mother: A Daughter’s Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir, and is for the “sandwich” generation and overflows with humor, grace and much needed honesty.” –Booklist Review.
SHORT BIO:
Mothering Mother is based on Carol’s journals as she cared for her mother during her final years as her mother suffered with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Carol moved her mother into her home and gave her a home passing. Mothering Mother chronicles the challenges, humor, funny and sweet times, frustrating and scary times that come with caring for those we love.
Carol’s fiction and nonfiction work has appeared in numerous publications including Atlanta Magazine, Voices of Alzheimer’s, Women’s Digest, Blue Moon Review, Water’s Edge, The Pisgah Review, and AIM, America’s Intercultural Magazine.
Carol is a Jacksonville University graduate, creative writing teacher and inspirational speaker. She is a family advisor at Caring.com where she offers insight and guidance to those who are struggling with family and caregiving concerns. Carol’s blog is read by thousands monthly and can be found at Mothering Mother and More. Carol speaks to caregiving families and organizations around the country, and she has been featured on CNN.com, Fox television, Atlanta, WPBS/WEDU, and many other television and radio programs. She is endorsed by Florida’s Alzheimer’s Association and Community Hospice. Her message is one of hope and purpose. For a list of topics and more information, visit her website is www.caroldodell.com.
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A little history:
Since the release of Mothering Mother, I spend much of my time teaching and speaking–which I love. I find that when I speak for 30 minutes, I get to listen to two hours–as people open their hearts and share their stories and struggles. We always wind up laughing, crying, and hugging. I couldn’t ask for a more fulfilling way to spend my time. I never knew what a sacred and profound effect this would have on me. I also spend a good portion of my time speaking with professional women’s groups and with people in the medical professions such as geriatric care, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and elder-care. I do this at conferences, workshops, and online. My hope is to help bridge the gap between family and home care–and the medical community.
I teach a lot of journaling and memoir classes at senior centers, women’s groups, and even at the university level. I also speak to writing groups and share my writing and marketing tips. There’s a lot to learn about the publishing process and I find it fascinating and hope to make the journey a little easier for others. I love words and unearthing stories in others and seeing that “ah ha” moment go off in their heads as their pens begin to move across the page.
Contact Carol O’Dell at writecarolodell@gmail.com to schedule a speaking event for your school, university, church or community group.
FORTHCOMING BOOKS:
SAID CHILD, the fictional “prequel” to Mothering Mother about families, adoption, and belonging.
WHITE IRIS, a novel based on a woman who quits her life to see all 864 Vincent Van Gogh paintings around the world–with Vincent at her side.
WHEN STARS FALL, a YA trilogy about a city girl who finds herself tangled in a small town mystery as she confronts prejudice and a pending murder case.
DREAMSCAPE, a YA fantasy about four sisters who live on the edge of two worlds. When their parents are killed in an earthquake, and their baby sister is kidnapped, the other three sisters must each accept a quest to get her back.
This is fabulous. I’m loving Carol O’Dell’s blog. How do I get my own?
Thank you, Belinda,
Now, to spread the love:) Please feel free to “share the word” and invite others to view and link to my blog. Mothering Mother needs a fan base! Honestly, I hope and believe its message will touch many lives.
~Carol
Carol,
I saw an ad for a signing at a Decatur book store.I knew it had to be you!
I will be at one of your Atlanta signings to get an autographed copy.I
think of you often,I still have the plant you gave me.Best of luck!
Lisa Rayburn
770-307-1006h 770-530-1015c
772 Mary ave
Bethlehem,Ga.30620
Hi Carol,
It is a blessing for you to write your book and get the word out about the caregiver’s needs. Your writing is so real, and I enjoyed the humor. The excerpt was wonderful and I can’t wait to read the book. I’ll look forward to following your career. Kristi Gott, caregiversbeacon.com
Hi Kristi,
What a wonderful endorsement of my work and message you wrote here, and on your website. I feel honored. Each one of us have a part to play–to take the torch to its next destination–to spread the message of hope to the next dark village.
Glad you liked the humor–it’s so needed to balance out the gloom.
~Carol
Hi Lisa,
You didn’t leave an email! I can’t wait to see you–what a nice surprize. Glad you still have the plant–so do I:0 I told you, we bought it on our honeymoon–28 years ago. It’s lived so long, I’m afraid our fates are entertwined. Now, I HAVE to keep the darn thing alive!
See you in ATL
~Carol
Have a nice day !
Hello!
I am delighted to find this site. I am an RN of 43 years and have written a book called “Caring Is Not Enough, May Last Wishes and Personal Documents”. I am a known public speaker on end of life issues, especially documentation. I have a website, http://www.caringisnotenough, and a blog, http://www.caringisnotenough.wordpress.com/
All are welcome. I am trying to open up a major dialogue about these issues.
Terry
Dear Carol,
I’d like to share a new resource with you and your readers, for anyone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease in their home.
The Copper Ridge Institute, affiliated with The Johns Hopkins University, is a leading provider of dementia research, care and education. The Institute has developed the first training resource of its kind for caregivers, providing a step-by-step method for caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. Available as a DVD and webcast, the FREE program (www.alzcast.org) recreates many of the daily situations that caregivers may encounter and provides coaching for each of these activities based on best practices developed by The Copper Ridge Institute.
In the arena of Alzheimer’s disease the overwhelming emphasis has been on finding the cure. Little emphasis has been placed on researching effective care and teaching best practices for persons with memory impairment. The Copper Ridge Institute has taken a leadership role in the care arena. Fourteen years of clinical work and collaboration has enabled The Copper Ridge Institute to establish a program of care and treatment that brings dignity and a quality of life to those persons and families struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease is a breakthrough program that will help many of us faced with the daunting and emotionally charged task of caring for those we love with dementia.
We’d like to ensure that as many people as possible can take advantage of this free program so are reaching out to blogs like yours to help us make people aware of the program. Could you please let your readers know about this important resource? http://www.alzcast.org
Many thanks,
Katelyn Montgomery
on behalf of The Copper Ridge Institute
I love your site. Keep it up !
It’s good to find you.
http://in-all-these-things.blogspot.com/
thank you so much, I really needed to read this article today, I have a 97 year old mother-in-law that has turned violent and angry and it is very difficult to deal with. Carol, you will never know how much this means to me.
Hi Cherie,
I’m so glad that my experience can now help others. I hope that you find the encouragement and support you need.
Thanks for reading,
Carol O’Dell
http://www.caroldodell.com
I’ve tried to link to two of your mentions of your book Mothering Mother, and both times I got an error. I thought you should know about this, and I’m assuming I can find the book on Amazon?
Yes, thanks for the heads-up on the links. Mothering Mother is available hardcover and e-book version on Amazon.
Thanks for checking out my blog!
What a wonderful, useful blog! I’ve got information on a conference that would be of interest to your readers in and around Silicon Valley: In Santa Clara County, about one in five households provide regular care or assistance to an aging or ill adult. Network with other caregivers and learn from experts in the field at the Fifth Annual Caregivers Count! Conference, Saturday, May 3 at the Orchard City Banquet Hall at the Campbell Community Center, 1 Campbell Avenue, Campbell CA.
Presented by the Aging Services Collaborative of Santa Clara County, the Caregivers Count! Conference will offer workshops and sessions on Self Care, Legal Issues, Advance Care Planning, Caregiver Fitness and Long-Term Care Resources. To register for the conference (open to all Silicon Valley residents providing care or assistance to aging or ill adults) visit http://www.sccagingcollaborative.org.
Carol, wanted you to see how I made my readers aware of your blogsite. I really enjoyed it. Keep on keeping on.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?pli=1#inbox/145dca7b4221de0d
Gil Stewart
Carol:
Today is one year since my mom died. I am trying to bring closure to all I have been feeling. I am the person of whom your write/the caregiver with 3 siblings who never lifted a finger, and when I asked or got angry, all they could say was YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO IT. Anyway, I read a piece you wrote about this very subject. I just returned from the cemetery. The sun is going down, and your words were so positive. Essentially, I am letting it go. I got angry the night Mom died and I yelled at my younger brother, and apparently drug in the other siblings and their spouses as well. I apologized 1,000x but they have refused to speak to me for a year. One spouse said my grief was fake and one brother refused to take my call. I cared for Mom for 9 1/2 yrs. In my heart, I know I did a good job and I was blessed to have her w/ me. I worked a 40 hours a week and traveled 80 miles a day. POINT: You are right. I am letting it go now 365 days after Mom died, I am letting my anger and resentment go.
I have a beautiful granddaughter and another on the way/2 great children as well. Good friends and retirement in 11 months.
Thank you.