Kate wrote this touching poem for her Nan who recently passed away. Thank you Kate for sharing these beautiful words with us.
Dementia and me, by Kate Nash
Forget me not for I am still me, my eyes fill with tears as you stand and watch over me.
The memories are there I just can’t get to them right now; I’ll remember you in a moment when I remember how.
I wake up to the sun rising as dawn begins to break, memories of you all are forever mine not dementias to take.
I remember you yesterday and the day before that too, I know you’re standing there, and I love you dearly too.
I hear your soft loving words and keep them in my heart, for time nor nothing could take them, they were mine right from the very start.
I know this road is long but it’s a journey I must take, I’m grateful for all these memories we continue to get to make.
But dementia lives inside of me and it will never go away, I have to allow it on my journey I know it’s here to stay.
I know some days it breaks your heart to see me lying there, but I am grateful for everything you do for all your love and care.
I know you all love me deeply and care for me so much, I feel it in your presence I feel it in your touch.
But time won’t save me, and time is running out, I don’t mean to get angry I don’t mean it when I shout.
This journey is as hard for me as it is for all of you, I’m stuck inside a mind where I sometimes can’t recognise you.
It’s scary and lonely and sometimes I want to get out, I don’t remember what day it is what is that all about.
I remember my dogs sometimes but then I forget, but then I remember when me and joe first met,
My mind is a library, but the pages are all over the place, I’m looking at you I’m sorry I don’t recognise your face.
Tomorrow I may remember but then again, I may not, you’re still inside my heart I haven’t forgot.
Please remember me as I always used to be, the time before dementia moved in with me.
Love me now like you did yesterday and the day before that too, remember I love you dearly each and every one of you.
My body is still here but my mind has faded away, to be with you forever but god won’t let me stay. This journey has been tough but made the best by you all, don’t feel any anger when it’s my name he chooses to call.
Free I shall be like a bird soaring in the sky, nothing is forever not even a heartfelt goodbye.
I will live inside your heart and you shall see, this journey in my life was never just dementia and me. It was Dementia and my family.
