Image by Sonya O
“I’d like to be
Under the sea
In a….in a…..”
He sits in front of the fish tank, as he does day in and day out. His mind is troubled, he wants so much to remember but there is nothing beyond those few lines.
Yesterday a woman came in, sat opposite him and talked incessantly for hours, or so it seemed.
After she had gone they asked him if he enjoyed his wife’s visit.
For the life of him he can’t place her. He is sure she is not the woman he married.
His wife is much younger, flowing dark hair, perky tits and athletic. He smiles as he recalls her six-pack achieved after weeks of gym work.
No that woman yesterday was not his wife.
He settles back into his chair.
In the tank before him the fish swim by once again.
I’d like to be
Under the sea,
In a…In a……
Written for: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/fffaw-week-of-6-10-2015/
Morpethroad 
a fly-by-wall on a person with dementia, sad, but reality…thanks, Michael 🙂
Thank you ladylee for stopping by.
True and so sad about memory. My oldest brother has that disease and had to take an early retirement. He will never get to come home. Most times, he knows me and laughs at my silly jokes, other times he doesn’t know me and it hurts so much, because he always took care of me when we were growing up until I moved. I miss him so much and he is alive.
Thank you for sharing that connection you have with this disease….I know it is hard when loved ones are so afflicted….you can only be there for him. Thank you for stopping by.
Very moving story. So poignant.
Thank you so much. Thanks for the visit.
So sad when it comes to this. My friend describes her husband the same way- only he stares blankly at the television. Her heart is broken. Well done, Michael.
Thank so much Mandy it’s a very sad situation for so many families
Very sad but realistic story. Well done Joy.
Thank you so much for stopping by to comment. Michael
I am so sorry about the mix up.
A wonderful story that shows what dementia is. It is a terribly sad disease! Michael, in the first paragraph did you mean to say, “His mind is troubled..?”
Thank you Joy, it is a terrible disease…..my error has been corrected. Thanks for picking it up.
No problem. You are welcome to delete my comment about it if you would like.
We’re able to extend life better these days. I hope we can do the same for our minds someday soon. Well written, Michael!
Thanks so much Loretta.
My mother died before her dementia had progressed to that point. I was her primary care-giver (time limited by citizenship), and watched the changes. You have captured the stages where the past is more real than the present.
Her sister died of Alzheimer’s the next year. So much harder to watch. She was still inside there, but rarely did she surface.
So I feel particularly connected to this story. And, when I think forward, with a very high chance of having dementia due to family history.
You got inside his mind — so bittersweet and touching.
Thank you for that comment, so often what I write is from stories from others and what friends relay to me…..I have been lucky that this has not been an issue in my family, so far….
As so many have said – you have truly expressed the pain and sadness, for all – all involved.
Well written Michael.
Thank you so much Mercy…..
I have several relatives suffering from this disease, so this story hit home for me. I think you really captured that lost feeling, the mind trapped in another time period, well. Great job!
Thanks Nortina, appreciate you stopping by….its a tough time for all relatives watching a loved one slip away
I loved the way you expressed the emotion behind this, painful and bittersweet, and just simply – heart-breaking. Great story.
Thank you so much Fleur. Please call by again.
Nice story. It seems you and I had a similar idea. Well done.
Thanks you I shall pop over and read your tale….
That’s very sad because for him his wife will always be that young fit women, she’ll never age. Time has become something all mixed up in his mind. But it’s a very true story for some people which makes it all the sadder.
Yes indeed Mandi, it is a sad state of affairs mainly for the family who are powerless and can only watch.
I like the creativity of your thoughts here.
Yes, a poignant story but told beautifully!!!!
Thank you so much for your comment and for stopping by.
Dementia is a horrible thing that strips a person of all the connections to their life. You express this really well. A very sad, poignant story. Well done.
Awww makes me think of the movie The Notebook. I hope he remembers her even for a moment.
You would like to think so wouldn’t you..thanks for stopping by.
Oh so sad and poignant. I really like how you used the song as a signifier for what’s going on – brilliantly done!
A very sad state to be in, but one that befalls many ageing people. I think dementia is something that many of us dread. You wrote this very cleverly and I like the way you repeat the opening lines at the end.
Thanks so much Millie. Hope you have a great weekend…
It’s sad that so many people can relate to this terrible disease. Well written.
DJ
Thank you Danny….have a good day….
I’ve been told with my already failing mind that this may some day be my reality too.. you wrote this so well and really understand the progression of this disease. Beautiful, Michael!
thank you Lori, I hope it doesn’t happen to any of us….
You are most welcome, Michael.. I hope not either
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