My mother's transfer to a rehabilitation hospital has been approved.
The fact that she is no longer in immediate danger is a tremendous relief.
She was always a very energetic person, so I am hopeful that physical rehabilitation will help her recover much of her strength and mobility.
She also has a mild language impairment, and I hope therapy will help improve that as well.
Her memories, however, will not return.
My father and many relatives see the loss of her memories as a major tragedy.
For those who have been forgotten, I suppose it is.
But what about my mother?
For her, I don't think it is a tragedy at all.
After all, she doesn't remember.
As long as she is not constantly reminded that she has forgotten something, she can live quite happily.
She laughs when I tell her jokes.
She no longer remembers who I am.
She now believes that I am her "kind older brother."
And honestly, I'm perfectly happy to be her kind older brother.
When I realized that she no longer remembered my name, tears filled my eyes.
Even so, I kept smiling and continued our conversation.
We were standing in a dimly lit elevator lobby, so I don't think she noticed my tears.
When I smile, she smiles.
If I look sad, she begins to feel that something is wrong.
She may think:
"I've forgotten something."
"I must have done something wrong."
And then she starts blaming herself.
My mother does not need her memories in order to live a happy life.
I want her to spend the years ahead smiling and enjoying each day.
That is why I intend to greet her with a smile, every time I see her.
And no, I am not forcing myself to do that.
Because I do not consider the loss of her memories to be a catastrophe.
To everyone who feels sad because they have been forgotten:
This is a request from the son who was forgotten.
Please smile when you are with my mother.
Please.
Comments
Post a Comment