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Bill Marable Writer's avatar

Been there. Love the way you brought it home. Dementia, or that word for when mama forgets. You know, the word. Granddaddy had it too.

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

Smiling softly at this, Bill.

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Jeffrey Loewen's avatar

What a lovely way for your mum to introduce you to her friends. I suppose this reversal of roles isn’t uncommon.

But it was a bit different with my mum before her passing: words weren’t forgotten or lost per se. Rather, the English language would disappear altogether, episodically, and either Russian or/and German, even in the same sentence, would begin to articulate her thoughts and memories of the moment. Luckily, the German was easily understood; but the Russian was a bit more difficult to translate for me. In the end, even when she stopped talking in any audible language, she still shone with happiness and love, and everyone who visited her towards the end, understood her every gesture. Thanks

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Nancy Shebeneck's avatar

...”she still shone with happiness and love.” ❤️

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

This is a dear remembrance, Jeffrey.

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Michaele Rosen's avatar

“The dusty attic” of our brain….resonates. Hubby & I are at the age where some dust sometimes settles.

Saw my beautiful Mom through that journey ❤️

PS Love your husband’s sense of humor 😉

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

💜💙❤️

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Brigid Beckman's avatar

Oh Phyllis. The move from your husband's gentle humor to the poignant "dusty attic" that is still filled with love...holy wow. ❤️

Blessings to you in these weeks of travel.

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

Thank you, dear Brigid. Blessings always flow . . .

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Nancy Shebeneck's avatar

Lovely, Phyllis❣️

May you be wrapped and squeezed in loved ones’ arms during this crazily hectic schedule. 🤗

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

Thank you, Nancy. Lots of hugging going on! (I hope there is for you, too.)

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Karin's avatar

May you feel arms wrapped around you in these coming weeks.

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

Thank you, Karin. I have felt them! And I hope you have too!

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Valerie Campbell's avatar

So powerful and yet gentle at the same time...kind of like a hug where we are putting changing and aging and loss and love around ourselves and squeezing. Thank you Phyllis.

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

You are indeed hugged, Valerie.

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Catherine Carlson's avatar

Oh, I love this. Some days I see myself slipping into this relationship with my daughter. Perhaps because she is OF me she usually has the word.

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

Blessed relationship. May the two of you flourish together, even in the hard parts.

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Emily Style's avatar

A gift of a poem, this Arms Round.

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Myrtle Russell's avatar

Thanks Phyllis! Love this poetic reminder of the mysteries of the mind! Take it slow!

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

Take. It. Slow.

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Julie Roth's avatar

During our “Creatives” you spoke of this. What a poignant and loving piece full of understanding. Your words touch so many. 🙏🏻

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

Thank you, Julie. Speaking of this during Creatives' Coffee probably helped stir up the poem. One of you nudged it along, though I didn't feel the "coming forth" until later.

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Annette Langlois Grunseth's avatar

A dear poem, shows her love and your love.

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Phyllis Cole-Dai's avatar

No shortage of love!

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