Here is another poem from one of our members, Joanne Souvercaze.
The Long Goodbye
By: Joanne Souvercaze
Aging is honorable, a distinguished experience that we are blessed to experience
Age brings wisdom, age creates a lifetime of experiences surrounded by love, faith, family and friends
Creating memories that are beautiful, significant, extraordinary yet some are sad and difficult
Life is not perfection, it is living and embracing each moment we are given
Sadly for some, time becomes less memorable, less distinguished, more debilitating, for those whom are diagnosed with dementia (in our father case…Lewy Body dementia)
An experience so debilitating, disabling and difficult for all loved ones involved
Dementia for many, can be difficult to accept
As time goes on, so goes the mind
So says the one who has been diagnosed….
I don’t believe I have this condition called dementia, for I feel fine
They say I do, but I won’t accept it, not for sometime
Eventually I will have no choice, for I will have no knowledge of this thing called dementia and will be forced to accept what I do not know
They begin to take away my privileges, for why, I don’t understand
Is it because I now see images
I cannot drive is what they say, but I believe I can, I don’t understand
As said the father whom was diagnosed
As time goes on, so goes the mind
I knew you and loved you in days past, I know you and love you today, but tomorrow for I may not know your name or remember how much I loved thee
I cannot comprehend my thoughts
confused and scared each day
I want to fix this thing they say
that makes me so confused each day
I did not sign up for this I vow
just take me to the doctor now
My pride is gone and all my rights
I feel alone, misunderstood and oh so frightened
As said the father whom was diagnosed
As time goes on, so goes the mind
I need to go to where I know, for I feel this is not my home
Why do they keep me locked up here, for when my home is oh so near
I try to walk, they bring me back, they don’t understand…. I am a man
They say I must, this is my home, I do not care too, I have no say
I reached an age where I was free, free to choose my own way, but now….no more
I’m oh so tired watching these people, so many exhaust me, for I just need rest
All I ask is peace and quiet, and please remove these unwanted guest
Take me back to the home I remember, so I can stay forever, until my dying day
As said the father whom was diagnosed
As time goes on, so goes the mind
As time passes so do my precious memories, of my loved ones near and far,
for soon I won’t know who you are
I knew and loved you yesterday, somewhat today, for tomorrow I may not know your name
I yearn to have my family near, yet when they are…I oh so fear, and push them far away, for the confusion is overwhelming
These strangers once I knew and loved, but now I know no more
Although this disease may have defeated, my love for you is ever eternal
Please know how much you meant to me, for when I forgot you, you were kind to me. And at those times I fought with thee, you never ever gave up on me
Deep in my heart my love for you, will always be, will always stay, until my dying day, until that last heartfelt beat
As time goes on, so goes the mind
Near the end I ask of you, are you my son are you my daughter, yes you answer, then that is why you so kind to me, please forever remember I loved all of thee
The end is near, although I may fear, I will be eternally with my dear wife once more, for that is where I want to go
And when I pass I pray you know, how deeply I loved you all, then, now and through eternal life my darling children
As time goes on, so goes the mind
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