VISITING MABEL
“You’ve got a visitor, Nan,” Sandra
said brightly.
“That’s nice, dear. The kettle’s
boiling, I’ll make tea.”
Aileen looked around. A
cushion-filled armchair, an iron warming on the antique range, a chenille cloth
hiding the table-legs. Sixty years out of date, certainly, but nothing to
suggest the old lady was losing the plot.
Mabel put a cup by Aileen’s elbow and
offered a tin of biscuits.
“Don’t take the Bourbons – I’m saving
those for Gerald.”
She touched the sepia photograph that held pride of place on
the mantelpiece.
“His letter from the front last week said
he’d be home soon.”
..............................................................
People have different ways of coping with grief - who's to say Mabel's way is wrong? Dementia also manifests itself in many different ways, and losing forty years is possibly one of the easiest for the sufferer.
Thanks to Rochelle - https://rochellewisoff.com/ - for hosting Friday Fictioneers every week, even when she's off on a jaunt, and to Valerie J Barrett for the atmospheric photograph.
So much meaning in a simple comment. Very moving.
ReplyDeleteAnn
This is so touching. Mable lives in her own universe and so she should as long as she can. Great story.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gah.
DeleteMabel is surrounded with those things that make her comfortable and at ease. My dad has parkinsons and dementia. It's hard for him to communicate, but when he does he likes to talk about the past. There are times we aren't sure if his remembrance is acurate or true even, but we just go along with him. My mom's mind is sharp so it's a beautiful thing when she simply agrees (and smiles). Lovely to watch. A beautiful story, Liz!
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda. My husband is going that way and it's not easy to bite my tongue!
DeleteOld age is cruel. No solution except be kind. I often wonder where these people go in their minds. Sometimes being off the planet seems not so bad and other times it just seems like nature is nasty.
ReplyDeleteIt's tough watching it happen.
DeleteSad story.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it's true for many...
Three Musketeers - Anita
More and more, according to news reports.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching story. The last few lines are heartbreaking. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle.
DeletePoor Mabel, unable to move on. A tender scene.
ReplyDeleteThanks Iain. Mabel is probably happy enough.
Deletepeople around her may not realize it but she's in a good place considering.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, plaridel, she doesn't need to learn the teuth.
DeleteMabel and Gerald will be reunited soon enough, and I imagine she knows this. Good one, Liz.
ReplyDeleteShe probably does, deep down. Thanks Sandra.
DeleteA poignant piece indeed. Rather that than feeling depressed.
ReplyDeleteRosey invited me to lunch!
The MAbel I know is always positive too, and her memory is shot!
DeleteThat was a lovely one, Liz. There was a tenderness to it that was palpable.
ReplyDeleteI always say dementia or Alzheimer's can be a blessing in disguise for the ones who have it.
Thank you, Dale x
DeleteShe was content with her memory....sad but true for many. Well done!
ReplyDelete~Donna
https://authorshutterbug.wordpress.com/
Thanks Donna!
DeleteA very touching story.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jade
DeleteSo poignant and moving. You captured the essense of the photo perfectly.
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind!
DeleteVery touching.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sascha.
DeleteA good story, Liz, and so well written. I hope no one tries to bring her up to date and breaks her heart again. My mother had Alzheimer's and forgot my father had died years before. I told her he was on a fishing trip. That satisfied her. ---- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteSometimes the loss of memory can be a blessing.
DeleteSuch a sad story, Lizy.
ReplyDeleteI will try to write a cheerful story next week!
DeleteI remember my mother slowly losing it... not just in this way but also mixing in fantasies
ReplyDeleteWith my father, Bjorn, it was painful to watch a proud man lose himself.
DeleteThis is touching and true-to-life. The only kind thing to do is to allow Mabel to enjoy her own world. Trying to convince her the her beloved Gerald is dead and gone will not help her, but only make her worse. If her behavior is caused by dementia, there is nothing else to do but to allow her to enjoy her own reality.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Linda, but until they reach that stage they arre very frustrated, in my experience.
DeleteOh my heart!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dawn.
Delete