Mother’s Day Poem: Living with Dementia

Its mother’s day, ma, I know you’re in there

I know you’re trapped inside the prison walls of your mind.

The women that you use to be, has long been left behind.

There are times that we share a laugh at the Golden Girls,

But those days are disappearing, and I know it’s not an act.

Its mother’s day, ma, I know you’re in there

You're no longer able to care for yourself, but you still want to make sure we are all okay

We could not take care of your needs and assure your safety, so we placed you in a home

You long for the days to be back home, and this breaks my heart

I know your safe now and being care for, so to answer your question, this is your new home

Its mother’s day, ma, I know you’re in there

The good days are when we visit and you know our names, we are grateful for our time together

But we all know that those days are fleeing away

Most days, I cry all the way home and wish it could be different, I wish we could go back in time

I will let myself feel those feelings, thought, then be strong for you

Its mother’s day, ma, I know you’re in there

All I can do is love you how you are now, and not dwell on the past

On mother’s day, and every day, I will honor you as a strong loving mother that you still are

I will take your hand and assure you that everything is okay until your last breath

We will take life moment by moment and cherish each moment we have

Its mother’s day, ma, I hope you know how much I love you

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