“Last Things: A Graphic Memoir of Loss and Love” by Marissa Moss
Marissa Moss, an award-winning author and illustrator, is best known for her children’s series, “Amelia’s Notebook.” With “Last Things,” Moss uses her storytelling and illustration skills to tell her own story of loss and love. Her husband, Harvey, was diagnosed with bulbar ALS, a particularly aggressive form of the fatal disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Harvey was dead within seven months. “Last Things” documents the achingly real journey Moss, her husband, and their three children were forced to embark on.
“Last Things” isn’t just a story of death and loss and terminal illness — it also provides a deeply personal look at the everyday life of a family struggling to find their footing amidst an avalanche. Moss captures how alienating an illness like ALS can be, how it can change the person who has it, and how helpless and alone their loved ones can feel. A big theme is that dying often isn’t graceful, and the experience doesn’t always feels like what it is “supposed” to.
Moss does a fantastic, wide-reaching job of addressing how children cope with losing a parent, both as the disease progresses and after Harvey has died. Her three sons provide a varied range of reactions and emotional responses as they watch bulbar ALS take the father they loved and replace him with a man they no longer know. It is devastating, yet the story isn’t completely full of despair.
There are moments of connection and intimacy. There are memories of “first” things. There are brothers who look after one another. And in the end, there is a resilient family. One that has gone through the dark journey of death and disease, and, despite it all, are able to return to the land of the living.
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When I read the caption line on page 30 I burst into tears. It made me think of all the lasts I never noticed with my husband too. What a perfect way to sum up how life sneaks by without realizing it. It’s so hard.
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Hi Allison,
So nice of you to share this with us. It sounds difficult but some beautiful sharing and meaning for you. Tears are good and part of the process.
Grief beautifully!
Suzette
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My grandma who has been Lou Gehrig’s disease for 2 years at the age of 75 had all her symptoms reversed with a Ayurveda medicine from health natural centre after undergoing their ALS natural treatment plan. God Bless all ALS Caregivers. Stay Strong, take small moments throughout the day to thank yourself, to love your self, and pray to whatever faith, star, spiritual force you believe in and ask for strength. I can personally vouch for these remedy but you would probably need to decide what works best for you.
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My first ALS symptom occurred in 2016, but was diagnosed in 2018. I had severe symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, balance problems, couldn’t walk without a walker or a power chair, i had difficulty swallowing and fatigue. I was given medications which helped but only for a short burst of time, then I decided to try alternative measures and began on ALS Formula treatment from Aknni herbs centre, It has made a tremendous difference for me (Visit ww w. aknniherbscentre.c om). I had improved walking balance, increased appetite, muscle strength, improved eyesight and others.
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