Dear Frances

DEAR FRANCES By Frances H. Kakugawa Omoiyari . . . Think of others first and good karma will return to you.   — Frances H. Kakugawa Dear Frances, My 92-year-old mom didn’t want anything for Christmas, so I decided to give her your book on Kapoho — it was the perfect gift! My mom really....

DEAR FRANCES By Frances H. Kakugawa Omoiyari . . . Think of others first and good karma will return to you. — Frances H. Kakugawa New Year’s. Traditionally, it is a time of hope and renewal and looking forward. But I’m going to take a different path here and look back. Sometimes there are life-changing....

DEAR FRANCES By Frances H. Kakugawa Dear Frances, I enjoy reading your column in The Hawai‘i Herald. For the past 12 years, my husband and I have been caregivers for both of our parents, mainly for my parents. My mom is still alive and at 92 years of age, shows no signs of dementia and....

DEAR FRANCES By Frances H. Kakugawa Dear Readers, I’m writing this in October, before I leave for my speaking engagements in Denver, because I know I won’t be able to meet my deadline after my trip. If I don’t do this now, it will mean an email all in capital letters from my “Boss Lady”....

DEAR FRANCES By Frances H. Kakugawa Dear Readers: The following is an email exchange between Linda and myself. You might find her situation similar to something you have experienced or are currently experiencing. Dear Frances, Today my stepbrother called from Florida saying my dad has had another stroke and has not been eating much, just....

DEAR FRANCES By Frances H. Kakugawa This column on parenting skills was written by someone who has never been a parent: me. But I learned a lot about children during my years as a teacher. On Oct. 20, Kent Karosen, president and CEO of the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, and I will give....

DEAR FRANCES By Frances H. Kakugawa Dear Frances, Do you know what bothers me at times? When I see my wife Fran just sleeping, unable to speak anymore. I wonder if she’s comfortable or if she’s in pain. I wish I knew what she was thinking. I can’t tell. I know she is still here....

DEAR FRANCES By Frances H. Kakugawa Dear Readers, This column is especially for family members who describe themselves as “long-distance caregivers,” although I’m not sure a role like that even exists. A primary caregiver takes care of a loved one on a daily basis . . . period. Maybe family members who give support from....

DEAR FRANCES By Frances H. Kakugawa Dear Linda, You have over-thanked me with this poem. Thank you for all the “ifs” that we caregivers live with day after day. When they are so eloquently presented, they turn our hour-by-hour life as caregivers into poetry. Thank you for taking us inward into our own. Frances Readers....

DEAR FRANCES By Frances H. Kakugawa Dear Frances, I have a question. Things are going as well as can be expected with my dad. We have great little conversations and time together, and tasks are slowly being taken care of with the recognition that things are in an almost constant state of change. There is....