There is one thing that a disease like Alzheimer’s or dementia does that many other illnesses don’t do - it gives you time to say goodbye. With more sudden illnesses, like heart attacks and strokes, people don’t have the chance to come to terms with what is happening and let go gradually.

Many times, by the time that last day does come, people with a relative suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia will have healed family rifts. They take time to collect stories of the family’s past because they know those memories could be lost tomorrow. They say goodbye a thousand times in different ways. Still, we always think that the final day is sometime in the future and the day a loved one’s body catches up to his or her mind is a shock.

So, for the last time - Goodbye, William.

Posted by on 10.31.2006 • Uncategorized