Today is the first anniversary of my Dad’s passing.
A year of bereavement, of reminiscing, of other kinds of firsts.
The first wedding anniversary of my parents and Dad not being with us.
Dad’s first birthday that he wasn’t with us.
And Christmas without Dad.
The significance of these dates is not that remarkable in itself, but the thing that is significant is that such a huge presence in our family is gone.
And that absence made us incomplete.
So we are doing what we need to do to create a new ‘complete’.
We continue to gather for special occasions, like tonight and we celebrate our memories.
Mum will cook Dad’s favourite meal for us and we’ll indulge in his favourite dessert.
We recount all the funny stories (not so funny at the time they were playing out) during Dad’s advancing dementia.
And we recount his achievements and celebrate the special and remarkable man he was.
Memories.
Dementia will rob your loved one of their memories but for you and me, it’s our memories that keep our loved one close, in our hearts and minds.
Wherever you and your loved one are, on your journey with dementia and however difficult and impossible it seems to be some days, just stop and breathe for a moment, hug your loved one and tell them that your love them and be grateful for these memories.
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