Kath Tyler, whose mother was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia two years ago, has sent us a lovely poem written by her daughter Annie. In it Annie powerfully describes the progress of her Gandmother’s illness with love and fond memory.

Do you remember?

Do you remember how many times we went to the Natural History Museum?
The same bits every time.
Don’t bother with the new bits
We like the bits we already know.

Do you remember the fun we used to have at your house?
The games we played
The puzzles we made
The cakes we baked
The films we watched
And how much we laughed.

Do you remember how much I love you?
How, with the innocence of youth I used to think you were perfect.
Perfect.
Warm and unchanging
And unharmable and unhurtable and
mine.

Do you remember?
How much of it is still there?
How much of you is still there?
How much of me, in you
Is still there?

I wonder if these memories I hold so close,
Our memories,
Are really only my memories.

Have they vanished?
Have they faded?
Have they been eaten or pushed or pulled or squashed or twisted or forced
Out.

Do you remember how everything was always alright after a cup of tea?
Do you remember reading that book about the box of chocolates until it was worn thin?
Do you remember making bubbles with the soap when I was in the bath?
Do you remember feeding the birds?
Do you remember pea soup?
Do you remember knitting?
Do you remember telling me everything was going to be alright?

Why isn’t everything alright?
Do you remember?
Do you remember?
Do you remember?