Perhaps...

A daughters death a mothers Alzheimer's

Perhaps the mother the "lucky" one,
lucky now having no memory of the daughter
that she blessed us all with,
as her memories are erased,
her mind deleting
minute by minute
hour by hour
day by day
until each and everyone of us a stranger
as she descends into adult infancy,
barely living but alive,
alive though without the pain of a child now gone.
I ask myself what would be worse,
to live and remember
or to exist without heartbreak,
perhaps neither...

Author's Note

For those of you that have visited before Deb passed last August, of which I have written a couple of bits about. Since then her mother, Rose, has had a rapid decline into Alzheimer's,
having little or no memory of the 80+ years of a life lived to the full.

Reviews

[Neville]

this is heart-breaking my friend and sadly reflects the alarming increase in the numbers of and forms of dementia being recorded across the land .. I know from several personal encounters with the cruel beast how it robs its prey of their recollections and often their dignity ........ my heart goes out to all of them

[Gee]

A rather late thank you Neville.
Hope you are all well

[Neville]

not too bad mate .. seasons best to you n the girls :)

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! This was sad. The pros and cons of death, losing someone's mind. I agree with your last statement.
Very touching sir Gee.

[Gee]

Thank you Sami

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome 😊..

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed, perhaps Deb's mother is the fortunate one because she does not remember losing her daughter. How empathetic and how sad this is. Written from the heart. Lydi**

[Gee]

It's very sad, I knew Rose when she was a vibrant, party living forty something.
Thank you Lydia

[Ken e Bujold]

This strikes a nerve and is spot on the emotional rollercoaster felt by those watching the great erasing of a mind. Been through it a few times with family members. The sadness is so deep it is bone-crushing at times. But I also found a silver lining in time, like I am want to do, the erasing of one's mind leads the one doing the remembering for them to relive the joys and such of their own existence.

beautiful write Gee

[Gee]

Thank you Ken

[W. Barrett Munn]

Terrific poem of this type loss. I spent a number of years as a hospice nurse and saw so many patients in the final days (and sometimes years) of Alzheimer's and it seemed to me hardest on the family surrounding.
A devastating illness which you have captured well in your words.

Winston

[Gee]

Thank you Winston, I'm glad it rings true

[Lisasview]

Oh gosh Gee, I often wonder about this as well... I wonder too is behind the not seeming to know there is a bit of knowing that can not be expressed... I think this would be terrible..
I lost my father in law and mother to Alzheimer's and it was so awful to see them in this state...
When I think about it I am filled with sadness...
Lisa, 7am in Spain

[Gee]

Thank you Lisa

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome...

[Betty Hermelee]

two bad choices; my mother died at an older age of Dementia; the last five years of her life were horrible; never want to be in that state. But for me, I would rather die without heartbreak because I wouldn't know the difference; It's very sad for those around; dementia takes many forms too; my mom was psychotic, not a la-la land type happy person. Well written Gee.
Best to you
B

[Gee]

Thanks Betty, apologies again(late reply)

[Betty Hermelee]

No apologies…. You’re very welcome Gee!
Best
B.

[CD Campbell]

I know a few loved ones with the disease. Philosophically it's a wash. I have felt such strong, incredible emotion in my life that I cherish, does it matter what I remember? Seems like hell to me. I would rather go than be in it. It's a touching subject. I think you wrote this with a fragile but sympathetic sensibility that everyone could respect. Thoughtful work.

[Gee]

Thank you sir

[Ranger Kessel]

Alzheimer's is a terrible disease and i am sorry for those families who have coped with it. Thanks for putting a spotlight on it.

[Gee]

Thank you for reading and commenting

[Red Brick Keshner]

That is always a tough situation. My nan in her later days would often repeat herself and the first few times it was really annoying. Later, after getting used to the symptoms it became really sad. She used to call me by her youngest son(s name, my uncle. And I had to roleplay and go along with it just to make her last days comfortable. A truly touching poem. Thanks for sharing such a private moment in verse. /Frederick.

[Gee]

Thank you for both reading and commenting:)