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Mother and Dementia

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When robins appear an angel is near. * * * A memorial dedicated to my mother who suffered from dementia for many years. November 1920 - July 2008 Mother and Dementia When dementia creeps in, through the back door Loving is needed, like never before... An expressionless face, an empty heart A once dazzling life that had lost it's spark I saw your sad tears and felt every fear Of foggy days that for you never cleared. All disappeared, those happy golden years Memories you held, so precious, so dear The loveliest of smiles, gone without trace Who was that stranger who dwelt in your place. Tenderness was missing, none existing Care and affection you were resisting It sure broke my heart, to see you like that When we'd shared love and friendship in the past. My one and only forever mother There couldn't have been a better another I still pray in hope, again and again You didn't suffer any physical pain. As you loved and cared, like a mother should I cared for you, as I promised I would I hope that these words to heaven get through "Dearest Mother, I will always love you." 25th July 2021

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Deb Kelly

Date: 8/16/2021 2:04:00 PM

Oh Belle, your poem tears at my heartstrings, having gone through the same with my precious Dad. what a horrible disease we all are running from, praying it never catches us. When it does to those we love, caring for, and loving them is what’s left. Thank you for your beautiful way of expressing the pain, and Love.

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 8/17/2021 1:43:00 AM

Having been through it yourself we both know what dementia is all about, a dreadful condition and painful to see a loved one slowly losing the who they used to be. Thank you Deb… Belle

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 8/8/2021 11:41:00 PM

Hello Belle ... I really do feel for you. I've been amongst dementia patients that is such a hideous affliction that breaks your heart - thank you Belle - Lindsay

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 8/17/2021 1:38:00 AM

Thank you Lindsay, dementia is dreadful for the one who suffers and those caring for them too… Belle

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 8/8/2021 8:40:00 AM

Dear Belle, such a touching piece! "As you loved and cared, like a mother should I cared for you, as I promised I would I hope that these words to heaven get through/"Dearest Mother, I will always love you." - these lines brought tears to my eyes. You have described what dementia does - "Who was that stranger who dwelt in you"! I saw my very courageous aunt suffering from the same disease. To my faves. Love and hugs ~ Mala

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 8/8/2021 10:04:00 AM

Dear Mala, it’s such a sad thing to go through watching a loved one slip away from you, as you sadly did the same as me with your aunt. Thank you for your generous review. Hugs with love… Belle

Gershon Wolf

Date: 8/3/2021 3:52:00 PM

Can I stop crying now, Belle. You really pulled me right into this tribute to your saintly mother. Bravo. Excellent! A FAVE. :) gw

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 8/3/2021 5:31:00 PM

You can, thank you Gershon, we all love our mother and it’s tough on us when they suffer, when dementia takes hold gone are their dear souls… Belle

Jan Allison

Date: 8/2/2021 3:09:00 PM

Such a touching piece Belle. I am adding this to my faves. Mum has memory issues from a fall in 2009 but little by little I am losing her, its so hard at the moment as I cant visit due to covid being in another care home:-) hugs Jan xx

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 8/2/2021 5:01:00 PM

It must be hard for you Jan not being able to visit your mother when she needs you more than ever. I can imagine what you’re going through and hope it won’t be long before the door is open to visitors again. Thank you Jan. Hugs, Belle :-) xx

Alexis Y.

Date: 7/26/2021 3:36:00 PM

Hi Belle, What a touching and moving story. Dementia not only robs the ill person of memories, but it also takes from the whole family unit. You were a good daughter to care for your mother as you did. Thanks for sharing such a write-Alexis

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 7/27/2021 4:32:00 PM

Hi Alexis, I did what hopefully any daughter or son would do for a parent. It’s dreadful for anyone who succumbs to dementia, as you say it takes it toll on the whole family unit. Thank you ~ Belle

Paul Callus

Date: 7/26/2021 9:32:00 AM

This touching poem is one which several of us can relate to. Dementia steals not only the mind, but also relationships, personaltities, behaviour, etc. Patients need, understanding, care and support. Belle, you did all you could with love. ~ Regards // paul

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 7/26/2021 9:48:00 AM

Thank you Paul, it was a pleasure to care for my mother, always had and always did what I could as I’m sure anyone would. Regards ~ Belle

Rama Balasubramanian

Date: 7/25/2021 8:52:00 AM

Your comment on my poem door is very profound. If you haven't, why don't you write that and enter the contest

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 7/25/2021 9:28:00 AM

I’ll give it some thought Rama, thank you… Belle

Kim Merryman

Date: 7/25/2021 8:47:00 AM

Belle, this is so beautifully written and so sad. Both my mother and mother-in-law had dementia and I was able to help care for them. It's a hard thing to watch and experience. I miss my mom very much! Blessings, Kim M

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 7/25/2021 9:36:00 AM

Bless you Kim, you and I and many others have a shared experience in caring for sufferers of dementia, with my mother-in-law it started in her early eighties and she lived a few months short of being turned ninety nine. What I remember most about her was although she became unable to converse, if I sang songs from her era she would join in and sing the words. Isn’t life a mystery. Thank you… Belle

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 7/25/2021 6:45:00 AM

My dear Belle, I spent nearly five years taking care of my wife who had dementia. I cared for her out of love. Dying was a relief for her but I miss her so.

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 7/25/2021 8:03:00 AM

I’m sure you cared for your lovely wife lovingly Victor, as I did for my mother and mother-in law too who passed away the year before my mother did. Though we miss our lost loved ones, when we’ve done our best we have no regrets. Thank you dear friend ~ Belle

Rama Balasubramanian

Date: 7/25/2021 4:07:00 AM

A heart touching write Belle. It made me sad, could feel the emotions portrayed in this. Dementia should not happen to anyone. You did your duty as a daughter, proud of you. Not easy to handle dementia patients.

Beryl Edmonds
Date: 7/25/2021 5:08:00 AM

It’s not easy at all as anyone who has or is helping someone who’s suffering from dementia knows, all one can do is their best. Thank you Rama… Belle