Changes

Until recently, Dad always recognized me. I'm not sure if his current problem is due to the Alzheimer's or to his increasing blindness. His vision has deteriorated so much that he has trouble reading newspaper headlines. At meals, he can't find the food on his plate unless it is dark food on a white plate. Even then, he can't tell if there is food left or just juice. We say that "nanoscale" is the level to which Dad scrapes the pudding out of his bowl. He has such a sweet tooth that he keeps trying for "just one more taste" long after the bowl is empty.

Last night after Dad went to bed, I had to go into his room to get some towels. Before, he either called me by name and said hello, or if it was too dark to see, he would ask who it was. Last night, he thought I was his sister (who has been dead 15 years--he went to her funeral and administered her estate). This wouldn't be too far off except I'm about 5 inches taller and 75 pounds lighter than she was. There is no way to confuse our profiles. She was even heavy as a teenager.

Oh, well...