Journey through Dementia

Journey through Dementia

So hard for me to write about

a journey with my mother

a disease that is so

very wretched

still taking years

for me

to put down into words

A disease that robs 

the human mind

of memories

of faces

of speech

and 

love moments

I became a stranger

to someone that I loved

right before my very eyes
I watched her slowly slip away

I loved her all the way through it 

walking the path gently
 everyday
every moment

Dementia 

 doesn't just take

the individual

the human being
the person deep inside
 it takes

the family right along

with it
just like an ugly monster does
reaching to get you in your 
dreams at night

Every day a surprise

sometimes a twinkling moment
something remembered

someone recognized
sometimes knowing who I was

a daughter

who loved her mommy 
so very much

I wish this affliction

on no one to experience

but for me and my family
it was dealt out to us

I was determined
 to handle it with grace

wanting dignity

for my mommy
she deserved

love and respect

So I have said my goodbyes

to a world that was clouded

free to breathe 

free to walk

free to be me
once again

no longer a caretaker

no longer a daughter

oh how I would go back

if only to hold her

I take with me this experience

having been grateful

for what I truly went through

now being able to share

my wisdom and knowledge

with someone else
going through it
who might just need 
my words of advice

Walking this journey

my heart is still aching

for my mommy who was

thankful she is not suffering

and in a better place
no more Dementia
no more disease

Peace is now mine