Will You Remember For Me?
What is life without our memories?
They say to be present. Not to live in the past or the future. But what if the past wasn't an option? What if all you had were the present and the future, with no recollection of what's behind you?
That's what's facing dozens of millions of people around the world. Those battling Dementia and Alzheimers are living without the ability to reflect on major parts of their past. And making it even worse for them, the future isn't a place they can escape to. It's just the present. That one that we're supposed to be in, fully.
Be careful what you wish for, I guess.
When you're left with no where to turn, you rely on your community to remember for you. Those closest to you pick up the slack, helping you remember not just to take your medications or buy your groceries, but also to remember who you are and where you come from.
So who are we without our memories? That depends on who you have to do the remembering for you. If you're blessed with loved ones surrounding you, maybe it doesn't matter so much if you can remember.
Maybe it's the people we love's turn to carry the mental load now. And maybe that's okay.
What a beautiful life to have lived to have loved ones who are willing to carry our memories for us.