Life had not been kind to Margaret, not kind at all. Well, that was her perception, for she was not familiar with gratitude nor with the glass half full theory. Poor Margaret.
"You kids!" she'd tell her children. "You don't care about me. Never have, never will!"
In response they would smile, stroke Margaret's arm and attempt to reassure her of their utmost love for her. For indeed, they did love their elderly mother, very much. Margaret would just snort, humph and growl.
"Before you lot came along my life was less complicated. When I die I will be gone from this empty world and I'll bury my soul in a scrapbook, with the photographs there and the moss."
Her gracious children would just smile, stroke Margaret's arm and tell her they loved her.
Dementia was a cruel master, which they understood very well...
Kim at dverse poets, has asked us to pen a prosery of 144 words sans title. Our prosery must include the lines from 'Take this Waltz' by Leonard Cohen. 'And I'll bury my soul in a scrapbook, with the photographs there and the moss.'
Here's the link: Prosery Waltz
Dementia certainly does distort perception, Carol, which I know from experience. You’ve captured that so well in this Prosery piece.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim. :D
DeleteDementia is not kind to anyone. But perhaps ten times worse for those who are present witnessing it. This prose captures it so well. Stellar, Carol. Thanks for sharing. Blessings. Xo, Selma Martin
ReplyDeleteThank you, Selma. :D
DeleteShe sounds angry more than demented. Could she be right, I wonder?
ReplyDeleteShe does indeed sound angry, Jane. Maybe she just couldn't remember the good times anymore.
DeleteIt's hell getting old. May a person be blessed to have such gracious children when that time comes. Good story built around those lines, Carol.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. :D
DeleteThis story builds up to the emptiness and loss felt by family and the person with dementia. Cohen's words lend well to this and you give insight into the experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Georgina. Dementia is never easy.
DeleteGracious children indeed, Carol, for they bear the unfairness which their mother's bent out of shape understanding perceives...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Yes, dementia is unfair on everyone involved.
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