Clockwise from top: My Mum Ruth at 92-years-old; on her 85th birthday celebration and family photo when I was 6. – Collage by C.E. Pereira
My Notebook: Printed Pages – 13
By C.E. Pereira
My Mum’s birthday was on April 3rd. She is 92-years-old. There was no big celebration, no family gathering. No fanfare. Just another ordinary day. But, it is not. Not when Dementia is the elephant in the room. Not when it takes everything away. And continues to plunder, until nothing is left.
We got her a small cake, the size of a cupcake, with one candle. We sang ‘Happy Birthday’, she did not response. And I had to blow the candle out. But she did enjoy eating the cake. And just maybe, somewhere deep in her mind, a spark of memory of us is in there. But I’ll remember for both of us, always.
I'm a Eurasian of Portuguese, English, Scottish and Malay heritage. And my extended family are of Chinese and Indian heritage. In recent years, the younger generation have added on to include spouses from the Philippines, Nigeria and Russia. My world is made up of different colours like the rainbow. And like the rainbow I am unique.
Reading is my form of relaxation, to escape from the drudgery of daily life and enter into a world of the imagination. It is the love of reading that has led me to try my hand in writing short stories and poems.
I hope that in some way my stories and poems will take you for a little while away from the drudgery of the present into the pages of imagination.
To new friends found, I bid you, Welcome.
Sincerely,
C.E. Pereira
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12 thoughts on “I’ll remember for both of us”
Real tears flowing down my face. I understand. I really understand.
If I could offer one piece of advice…she is in there. You may not see her or recognize her often but the mom who loves you with all her heart is there…and she is very aware of all that you do and how much you love her.
Since my mom passed, I have played the mind tapes of her final months and it all seemed so strange…and she seemed like a completely different person. Yet in the years since she is gone, I have been reacquainted with the woman I knew my whole life. I talk with her every single day and I remember and feel her love.
Sending the biggest hug and so much love! ❤
Thank you for caring. I try to be positive each day but it is so hard. I will read your words when the day seem bleak and take solace that my mom is inside this stranger. I so much need those hugs, right back at you. Thank you. 💕
Bless your soul, Carol. It is such a painful process to go through. I didn’t think I would ever be the same…and in some ways I am not. But I am Blessitude that I have reconnected with the true spirit of my mom and that the stranger who took her place is at peace now.
Giant hugs (())
My mom is heading in this direction too, Carol. My heart goes out to you. I like to believe that the soul remembers our love and it matters. Hugs to you, your mom, and your family.
Thank you for your comforting words, Diana. Hugs to you and your Mom too. I try to be positive that the soul remembers. And I try not to think what tomorrow might bring, I focus on today’s issues.🙏🏻🌻
HoneyGwhiz 
Real tears flowing down my face. I understand. I really understand.
If I could offer one piece of advice…she is in there. You may not see her or recognize her often but the mom who loves you with all her heart is there…and she is very aware of all that you do and how much you love her.
Since my mom passed, I have played the mind tapes of her final months and it all seemed so strange…and she seemed like a completely different person. Yet in the years since she is gone, I have been reacquainted with the woman I knew my whole life. I talk with her every single day and I remember and feel her love.
Sending the biggest hug and so much love! ❤
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Thank you for caring. I try to be positive each day but it is so hard. I will read your words when the day seem bleak and take solace that my mom is inside this stranger. I so much need those hugs, right back at you. Thank you. 💕
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Bless your soul, Carol. It is such a painful process to go through. I didn’t think I would ever be the same…and in some ways I am not. But I am Blessitude that I have reconnected with the true spirit of my mom and that the stranger who took her place is at peace now.
Giant hugs (())
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The tightness in my heart is lesser knowing there are those who understand, like you. God bless you Lorrie.❤
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Thank you, beautiful soul…you are not alone 💜
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Your memories honor her. ❤️❤️❤️
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🙏🏻🌹
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My mom is heading in this direction too, Carol. My heart goes out to you. I like to believe that the soul remembers our love and it matters. Hugs to you, your mom, and your family.
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Thank you for your comforting words, Diana. Hugs to you and your Mom too. I try to be positive that the soul remembers. And I try not to think what tomorrow might bring, I focus on today’s issues.🙏🏻🌻
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❤ ❤
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Awww 💙 I feel for you, my dad had dementia 😔 heartbreaking 💔
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Thank you for caring. It is heartbreaking to watch her slowly forget her life.😔
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