The spark

We think that dementia is not so bad because it gradually takes our loved one, instead of taking them abruptly and leaving a vast emptiness.
But when you look in your loved ones eyes and and see no recognition that slow gradual void becomes that same vast emptiness. Then after a few minutes you see a spark of what was and a smile with the words "you're one of mine" and the relationship takes a whole different turn. No longer is she the one tucking you in at night or giving you advice on how to raise your kids. When you look in her face and see a fear that was never there, you stroke her hair, hold her hand, say A psalm, even hum a hymn; something she would have done for you if you awoke from a nightmare or just afraid of the dark.
She used to get in bed with me and whisper it's okay, you are a child of God and he will take care of you. Now I crawl in bed with her because she is restless and can't find something to do with her hands. I have to hide the IV's, telemetry, and catheter then gently take her hands in mine until she falls asleep.
Then in the morning she awakes with the same scared look and no obvious recognition until....you see that spark and then not only does she remember but so do you.