A Letter For An Old Friend

Dot,

It has been a while since I’ve seen you. I moved to a new state, but I didn’t tell you that I was moving. I knew that you wouldn’t understand, and I didn’t want to upset you with this news.

I think of you often, and I wonder if you think about me. Do you wonder where I am and why I haven’t been by to visit you? Or has your sense of time evaporated, and perhaps you think we just saw each other? I hope it’s the latter of the two options.

Do you remember me? You always knew me when you saw me, but I’m afraid to call because I don’t want to confuse you.

I hope that someone is bringing you the paper. I hope that you have found some friends, and that you still go on fun outings. I hope that you still read all the street signs as you pass them, and that you still tell the same stories.

I have met hundreds of people with dementia, but you have always been my favorite resident. Thank you for reminding me why I chose this field.

I hope that you are well, and I hope to see you again soon. 

I miss you, my friend.


Sincerely,


The Girl Who Brought You The Newspaper

See another post about my friend here. 

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Rachael Wonderlin is an internationally-recognized dementia care expert and consultant. She has a Master’s in Gerontology and is the author of three published books with Johns Hopkins University Press. Rachael owns Dementia By Day, a dementia care consulting and education company.

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