She would get a cup of water,
place her finger on the curved edge of the lamp
water the garden painted on the side.
Alzheimer’s stole her mind
but not the loving care of the flowers
she’s remembered to water.
We remove the lamp,
bring her roses,
see her smile.
Cheryl Somers Aubin has an MA/Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She is the former nonfiction editor for the Literary Journal Delmarva Review. Cheryl teaches memoir writing and is a featured speaker at writing conferences and workshops. She is the author of The Survivor Tree: Inspired by a True Story, which is available at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and online. Www.thesurvivortree.com
Hi, Cheryl. I like your piece. It’s very true and sad. My mom had Alzheimer’s.I am sorry if you’re dealing with it with someone you love.
Carol. Thank you so much. I am sorry you had to suffer, as your mom suffered, with this terrible disease. I lost my mom in November of 2020…before there were vaccines and because I could not travel with asthma, i did not get to be with her at the end (my siblings were there.). So I know she is in heaven now and she’s with my dad and they are dancing. I often feel the two of them around me, each with a hand on my shoulder and telling me everything is going to be okay. they are happy and they are together and their love never faded…
Just lovely…
Sad, but beautifully written.❤️