I had to grieve her when she forgot who I am

“I have been taking care of my mother for over a decade now, but the mother I grew up with disappeared about eight years ago. She is now 98 years old and physically healthy but because of her severe dementia, I had to grieve her when she forgot who I am. She no longer recognises me as her daughter, nor does she remember any of her children. It is incredibly sad and heart-wrenching, but she is content and happy. I can tell this because she often speaks about returning home to her parents, reminiscing as if she was still a child; and I know that she had a very happy childhood…”