
Dad is Ninety
Dad turned ninety today
Although he didn’t remember
Living in a world of memory loss
The short term completely gone
Living only in the moment
One experience at a time
Forgetting the past he presses on
To reach the finish line
Waiting now with serenity of heart
But not the same of mind
Barely getting up out of his chair
He rolls with his walker here and there
Unstable security allows him to move
A forgetful memory keeps him out of the groove
Proclaiming to us that he’s still in good health
Not realizing the creeping stealth of his situation
He says he is thankful he lasted this long
Hoping to see us on our next vacation
He still recognizes our faces
But names slip through the cracks
And when it’s time to go he’s sad we have to run
He forgets we were there each time we go
And exclaims each time we come in
His face brightens up as he says hello
Surprised over and over to see us again
But while we are there it’s a special time
To see everyone brings him joy
He has not lost his humor or wit
Still catches a funny joke we tell
And has a good chuckle at it
Some things in his brain are still working
He loves to have some fun
He enjoyed his party and all his friends
Until they had to run
About most things he asks
It must be quite confusing
To see us there and then we’re gone
The memory just won’t last
Living to a ripe old age sounds good
The goal of many I am sure
But for me it’s a journey I hope not to take
Let me go while I still remember
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Photo: Dwight L. Roth