In this heartfelt episode of Life in the A-Zone, Peggy welcomes back artist and journal designer Jackie Begue to reflect on a meaningful milestone: being invited to speak at the very first meeting of a new caregiver support group that has chosen to use the Pink Cloud Moments™ Caregiving Journal as part of their weekly gatherings. Peggy and Jackie share how this special evening came together—beginning with a thoughtful referral from author Karen McCord (Only Rainbows: The Carley McCord Story)—and how it led them into a room full of caregivers ready to connect, reflect, and support one another. Together, they walk listeners through the night: ✨ How journaling helps caregivers process emotions, release stress, and gain clarity✨ The journal prompts that opened the door to honest and healing conversations✨ Caregivers sharing their challenges, gratitude, and small victories✨ Peggy’s reading of what a true Pink Cloud Moment is✨ The uplifting Angel Art Project designed to bring lightness and creativity after the emotional sharing✨ The healing power of community, storytelling, and showing up for ourselves and one another If you’re a caregiver—or love someone who is—this episode offers comfort, encouragement, and a gentle reminder that you are not alone. Interested in bringing a journaling workshop or caregiver event to your own group?Visit: PeggySweeneyMcDonald.com | Lifeinthea-zone.com | JackieBegue.comInstagram: @PeggySweeneyMc | @PinkCloudMoments | @lifeintheazonepodcast | @jackiebegueart  #Caregiving#CaregiverSupport#caregiving#pinkcloudmomentsjournal#CaregiverCommunity#JournalingForHealing#CaregiverJournaling#PinkCloudMoments#LifeInTheAZone#AlzheimersCaregiver#DementiaCaregiving#Journaling#SelfCareForCaregivers#HealingJourney#AngelArtProject#CreativeHealing#SupportGroup#CompassionateCare#PeggySweeneyMcDonald#JackieBegueArt  

I sit down with artist Katherine Martin to talk about Divine Angelic Inspiration and the angels behind our new Pink Cloud Moments Divine Angelic Inspiration Journal. We discuss the Angel of Inspiration, the Angel of Surrender, and the Angels of Creativity—and how naming your own angel can bring healing and renewal.

I talk with my friend, artist Jackie Begue, about rebooting, resilience, and the “Resilience” artwork that inspired our Pink Cloud Moments™ Sacred Space Journal for Caregivers, launching September 19th on Amazon.

Peggy and her sister Shannan rush back from Washington D.C. when her mother takes a turn for the worse. Miraculously, they are able to be by her side with the family as she took her last breath. The sky glowed pink hours before she passed and whenever family or friends see a pink sky, they will remember it is a Sherry Sky.     #Alzheimers #Alzheimersjourney #caregiver #grief #dementia #personalstories #mentalhealth #storytelling #podcastseries #caretaker #familydisease #healingthroughstories #adultchildren #mother/daughter #loveandloss #Louisiana #southernfamily

Peggy and her three sisters plan a 62nd-anniversary party for their parents at the Memory Care facility after their Mother is placed on Hospice Care. Alzheimer's may have taken his wife's health and her zest for life, but it was important to their father to celebrate their lifetime of love. 

Peggy spends the night with her mother at the memory care facility and in a moment of peace, her mother tells her everything will be alright. Peggy realizes her mother's struggle with Alzheimer's is slowly coming to an end. 

Peggy's mother is barely speaking these days as she grows weaker from Alzheimer's. However, in a special moment of clarity at the Memory Care facility, she shares a beautiful and heartwarming life lesson.

Peggy takes her mother to the hospital and everything changes as she is placed on palliative care. Alzheimer's is winning the battle and Peggy surrenders to the bleak reality.  

As her mother settles into her new life at an Alzheimer's Memory Care facility, Peggy and her father begin to adjust to an empty house without her. The Alzheimer's struggle at home is gone, but so is her mother's love and spirit. 

The last weekend with Peggy's mother before moving her into a memory care facility has arrived. Nothing can prepare the family for this life-changing moment in their Alzheimer's struggle. Friday night is bittersweet as Peggy and her mom share beignets in the backseat of the car creating a special memory.

Peggy realizes it's time for her mother to leave the nest as the family prepares to move her into an Alzheimer's memory care facility. The beloved home her mother built will never be the same once she is gone.

Decorating for the holidays is bittersweet this year. Peggy realizes this will be her mother's last Christmas at home and she longs for Christmas of yesteryear as a lifetime of memories fills her heart.

Another step down the ladder of the Alzheimer’s journey is inevitable as Peggy’s mother begins walking out of the house unnoticed. Trying to figure out the next move to keep her safe brings confusion and frustration.

Taking an Alzheimer's patient on a cruise may not be a great idea, but Mom's 82nd birthday deserves a big celebration. Her smiles and endless laughter make it worth the awkward moments, and we are blessed with special memories.

Peggy and her father make plans for special trips with her mother, but soon realize road trips with an Alzheimer’s patient are challenging, exhausting, and emotionally draining. Their best-laid plans are trips to nowhere.     

Peggy plans a “good day” for her mother decorating the house for Easter sparking many childhood memories. Celebrating Easter may be different these days, however, creating new memories can be just as heartfelt and special.

Peggy's stressful day over her mother's choice of clothing for Grandparent's Day turns around that evening when her family goes to hear live music at a local bar. Watching her mother and father tenderly slow dance under the stars creates lasting memories of the love between her parents that will live forever.

Peggy takes a girl's trip to Natchez, Mississippi with her mother, her mother's best friend, and her daughter. The weekend is a celebration of friendship and love with a side of pie.  Everything is better with pie!

Simple life lessons to deal with her mother's Alzheimer's are discovered as Peggy walks around the beautiful neighborhood lake encountering a White Heron, a Blue Heron, and a gaggle of Canadian Geese. A crawfish boil at a neighbor's home brings a much needed afternoon of Louisiana festive fun and new friends.   Website: Lifeinthea-zone.com Instagram: LifeintheAZonepodcast Facebook: Life In the A-Zone Twitter: LifeintheaZ  

A morning of surrender and reaching out for help turns into a beautiful day when Peggy snaps a beautiful picture of her mother in the backyard. This simple photograph invokes loving memories of her Grandmother and captures a pink cloud moment of grace and gratitude.