Creative Project: Memory

a piece depicting the effects of dementia

Today is a Saturday. I thought it was Wednesday. Not quite sure why. Still, I find myself gravitating toward the window, my body gripped with anticipation. Daisy will be here soon, that I know.

Today is a peaceful day, the birds are fluttering their way through the rusty orange of the leaves. Must be Autumn… I forget, not entirely sure how you can forget what season it is… When I wait for my granddaughter, I always try to take in as much of the view as possible. After all, who knows how long I’m going to be around for? Gazing past the slowly crackling tree, I see clouds in the sky, cracking the vast blue screen above. I look out past the bushes in the garden and see my mother cooking her famous lasagna — the birds singing away at the delight of the smell. I glance down at my grass-stained knees. Having played cricket all day it’s safe to say I could definitely use some food. I look up and notice one of the many nurses beckoning me. Time to brush my teeth. Keep forgetting to do that one. She wheels me down the corridor to my room.

Being in this care home gives me a lot of time to think about my life, after all, what else is there to do with all these hours free? Reminiscing has become one of my hobbies. Being in a wheelchair reminds me of all the mischief my friends and I got up to…