“The songs we’ve danced, the places we’ve visited”
My father was known for many sayings, some I’ve forgotten, many I’ve remembered. “All poodles are dogs, but not all dogs are poodles”, for when I would generalise. But my favourite, one which I’ve loved and lived was, “The only thing we take to our graves are the songs we’ve danced and the places we’ve visited”. Stated differently, memories are the only thing we take to our graves; so we might as well make them memorable as well as cherished. My father passed away last 12th April, at 94 years and months shy of his 70th wedding anniversary. His love of laughter, jokes (however corny), music, and dance was legendary. My father’s Joie de Vivre is something I often reflect on whenever I find myself needing encouragement or when/if I’m low. And as his one year anniversary quickly approaches, however, I am equally saddened by his epic mantra. You see, my 92 yo mother has been living and fighting dementia for some time now. While diagnosed some years back, her memory