Kelley Irwin

One day this week (Nov 2023), we had a rough day with Dad and then a sprinkle of love to keep up our spirits.

It has been one year since we received a formal medical diagnosis of dementia.

I see my parents in person or talk to them via video calls every day. There is no way to predict how the conversation will unfold. I take great pleasure in just making my dad smile or laugh regardless where his thoughts take us.

On this day he was teary eyed when I called. He told me a little rabbit just ran behind him. And the room was spinning. He also said earlier he saw a white bird fly across the room. His legs were shaky. He didn’t eat breakfast or lunch. He was distraught so I tried a few subjects to distract him.

When I told him I was going to speak at an event next week, he brightened up. I said “Dad, you taught me how to be comfortable on stage.” He replied, “I did, didn’t I?” Then he said they should come up a few days early so he could be there for me. I said that would be wonderful. I told him him I wanted to share the story of how he helped my public speaking and needed a good picture of him to show my friends. The tears are all gone and he smiled for me and said “I love you baby girl”.

That’s my dad.