116. Memory

Talk with 88 yr old Rose for five minutes, about the weather or the goings on at her retirement home or her current medical problems (bladder, it appears), and you think, that's how I want to be like when I'm 88. Her eyes sparkle and maintain contact with whoever is speaking.  Hair in place, rosy cheeks, a straight back.

Then you ask about some bleeding that she apparently experienced recently, and she just shrugs her shoulders and says, "You know I have early Alzheimer's, and my memory isn't worth anything."

Sometimes Alzheimer's wears the face of depression, confusion, a wordless inward withdrawal; or sometimes anger and frustration and stubbornness.  But there can also be an engaging and seemingly engaged senior who just can't seem to remember anything that happened yesterday or the day or the week before that.

Memories.