A Conversation with Dementia
by Beth Schulz (with art by Freeman Payne)
Writers Artists Night 2021
February:
Would you like to go to the store with me, Dad? I have a few groceries I need.
Sure! I like going grocery shopping with you.
I like going grocery shopping with you too, Dad. I love you, Dad.
I love you too, Daughter.
August:
It’s such a warm day today, Dad. Would you like an ice cream sundae?
I like sundaes.
What kind would you like?
I would like a, a, what’s the word? It’s brown, I think. And it’s a little warm.
Would you like a hot fudge sundae, Dad?
Ya, that’s right.
Let’s go get one. I love you, Dad.
I love you too.
March:
Tomorrow is church, Dad. We’ll leave at eight o’clock, okay?
Okay. Eight o’clock. What time are we leaving?
We’ll leave at eight o’clock in the morning.
Eight o’clock. Is that in the morning?
Yes, we’ll leave at eight o’clock in the morning. I love you, Dad.
I love you.
October:
The autumn leaves are so beautiful. Isn’t this a lovely time to be walking in the park, Dad?
Where am I? I don’t know where I am! Where am I?
You’re in the park, Dad. It’s okay. You and I are taking a short walk in the park. I love you, Dad.
You too.
July:
It’s a bright, sunny day, today. How about you and I go for a drive in the country, Dad?
A drive? With you?
Yes. Would you like to go for a drive?
Who are you?
I love you, Dad. Dad?
I love you, Dad.
