Moments with Marion

A Witness to Dementia

I first started writing about my experiences with my Mothers dementia in a blog, to share some of the lighter moments of living with someone who has dementia and because in many ways it helped me manage the sadness. The tricky part of sharing the moments about my Mother was to continue to honor the woman I knew her to be. She was intelligent and witty with a wonderful, dry, sense of humor. Mom laughed at herself often and would tease others without insult. She was never unkind, enjoyed people and was lovely company. All that changed with her dementia. My family is now dealing with a person we have never known. A stranger to us some moments, only to be our funny and thoughtful Mother the next. To witness the incremental loss of this incredible woman, who gave more in life than I could ever begin to explain, is a heartbreaking tragedy. So I began to write my Moments With Marion to reach out for a connection and to share a story that is so common to millions of people who are suffering along with my family. I hope this book connects with those experiencing the mental decline of a loved one, who bear witness to the mental disappearance of one so dear and the heartbreak of being slowly erased from their mind in the process. There is hope for comfort, if not in the process of sharing, at least in the knowledge that you are not alone.