"I talked to a lady today..." by Joe DeRozier #WindowOvertheSink

The title of this post is from a poem by Tanya Howden. There is so much to be learned and read about Alzheimer's and its cruelties. I loved what Joe said. I think you will, too. My thanks to him, and to "T. S." and her family for allowing me to share it. - Liz

Alzheimer's is a thief.

It is a lowly thief that steals beautiful minds.

I know a strong, vibrant, intelligent, and outgoing woman.

This woman speaks several languages. She is an amazing chef. She is a terrific hostess. She has a vast knowledge of words, places and etiquette.

This lowly thief, Alzheimer's, has locked all of this women's attributes in a vault. A vault in her own mind. Those things are still there, they're just under lock and key. This key holder is a thief, and he will never reopen it.

I've read articles about this wonderful woman. I've heard a million stories from her children. She has told me many things about her life that the thief has yet to take from her.

I look in her eyes...eyes that have seen and experienced so many things...but those eyes no longer possess the depth they once held.

I'll ask about one of her past accomplishments. She smiles, but can't remember. She wants to remember. She tries...but that thing, that thief, just sits back and laughs as he dangles the key.

She asks questions. Questions that she should already know the answers. Questions she has asked before...maybe many times in succession.

To her, it is the first time she has asked. For us, it's hard to not seem exasperated...she has to think we're rude to not want to be bothered by a simple question.

The thief laughs.

She can't throw things away. We question her, but she doesn't know why...she just has to keep them.

The thief knows why...and smiles

We have to wait until she showers to wash her clothes because she's afraid to let us take them.

It laughs, again.

Well, thief, you HAVEN'T won! You haven't won because WE remember!

We remember the great mom she was.

We remember the great hostess she was.

We remember the great teacher she was.

We remember the great friend she was.

We remember her love and her compassion.

She would have always been kind to any of us, had it been one of us whose mind you had treacherously stolen.

This beautiful mind you have stolen, you thief, still has her beautiful soul.

She still loves, and appreciates, and she is so kind. You can't take that, you thief. And you can't
take our memories of her.

One day, she will leave us...and she will get back that key, because she will be in a place that no longer permits you to lock up her memories.

Until then, you will never win, because we will always remember...and you can't steal that from us.

We love you, T.S.