Dear Alzheimer's,
I know that we have only really been personally acquainted for about a year and half now. But I had heard about you, your reputation has preceded you. I saw you coming a mile away. And now? Now that you are living in my home, I feel it's time we had a talk. You see, I really don't like you. Nope. Not even one bit. One might even say that I hate you. I hate everything about you. You are a thief and a liar. You have stolen from my dad. You lie to him and he believes you over anyone else. You have stolen who he is, and replaced him with a man that spends most of his days in frustrated confusion just trying to figure out what it is he is trying to figure out. You have stolen his ability to make reasonable decisions without a fight. You have stolen his favorite memories and replaced them with false ones. You have stolen his ability to be able to care for himself. You have stolen what should be his golden years.
And because of this, you have stolen from me. From my brother and my sister. And from his grandchildren. You have taken away my chance to ever really know who he is. You have taken from my children the chance to fully enjoy their Popi. I hate you for it, and I want it back! I want it all back! I want the clear headed dad, emotionally absent as he was, back. I want to be able to ask him simple questions and have him understand them right away. I want to be able to watch him laugh like he used to. I want him to have confidence in himself again. I want you to stop making him feel like he's stupid! I want you to leave him alone! I just want my dad back, you flying piece of crap! So, I am going to have to ask you to leave now. I need you to leave now. You have to leave now. I don't ever want to see your face again. Ever. Anywhere.
Love Sincerely,
Sara
P.S. That better not be you knocking on my mother's door. You have been warned.
