When is Wednesday? by Allison Symes

2/7/2021

Rosie knew when Wednesday was as it was when she had a roast dinner brought to her by a kind lady who said she was her daughter.

Rosie humoured her. Rosie would’ve remembered being married and having children. She couldn’t. So there could’ve been no marriage or children. Rosie was from before when people lived together.

Then the kind lady stopped visiting Rosie. Rosie’s helpers, as Rosie thought of them, said something about “cancer” and “it being so sad”.

Rosie knew cancer was always sad.

But however was she going to know when Wednesday was now?

Mary Wallace

2/7/2021 08:31:54 am

Rosie's daughter was a very caring individual to visit each Wednesday. Dementia is hard to cope with from every perspective. Very well written.

Allison Symes link

2/7/2021 11:44:29 am

Many thanks, Mary. I lost family members to dementia and I drew on my experiences of it here..

Pamela Kennedy

2/7/2021 12:30:38 pm

Such a touching story...nicely written, Allison.

Allison Symes link

2/7/2021 06:50:45 pm

Many thanks, Pamela.

Susan F. Reid

2/7/2021 04:09:45 pm

So sad.

Allison Symes link

2/7/2021 06:54:03 pm

It is, Susan. I just wish more could be done to cure or at least hold back dementia. Much has been done but you do become aware of how much more there is to do.

Jennifer Duncan

2/7/2021 09:50:08 pm

You really captured what I call the Swiss cheese aspect of dementia. Rosie doesn't remember her daughter, but she remembers that you have to be married to have a child, and days of the week are still significant to her. Very well done.

Allison Symes link

3/7/2021 05:22:25 pm

Many thanks, Jennifer. Direct experience here I'm afraid. It was odd what my family members could recall when they were going through this. It was never what you expected.

Sue Clayton

4/7/2021 06:33:44 am

This plucks at the heart strings, Allison. Beautifully told.

Allison Symes link

5/7/2021 07:35:50 pm

Many thanks, Sue.

Jennifer Lai

4/7/2021 05:36:18 pm

Sad, but unfortunately true. I also had relatives with dementia. It was always interesting to note which parts of life they remembered. Thanks for writing this :)

Allison Symes link

5/7/2021 07:37:18 pm

Thank you, Jennifer. The care home my mum was in brought in a wonderful singer with backing tracks who used to sing the songs of the 1940s and 1950s. Mum loved it. She remembered every word of the songs. It was so strange but music was a great help here.

Jane Bettany

5/7/2021 07:39:20 am

Beautiful, Allison. Very poignant.

Allison Symes link

5/7/2021 07:37:46 pm

Thank you, Jane.

Comments are closed.

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