To my dearest grandma,

You love me though you soon may not remember.

You devoted your time to me, but I need more.

Your warm laugh and smile have faded, yet they still make longed-for appearances.

Your speech has begun to slur, but you are no longer upset.

You used to get sad and angry, but you have since forgotten.

Time has now become a thief in the night, pulling you further and further away – and all I can do is watch.

You have changed before my eyes.

No longer giggling at the inside jokes we have made over the years.

No longer jumping up to make everyone your specialty homemade milkshakes or ‘whippies,’ as you always called them.

No longer doing all that you desire.

Now your days must be tasked out for you – your independence suddenly stripped away.

You no longer rise bright-eyed and eager.

You now wake dazed and confused – waiting for the one you love to help walk you through the day.

You are dressed in clothes that have been laid out for you and given a bib to help you stay clean.

Hobbies of yours I once loved suddenly ceased to exist.

Cans once filled with fresh produce from Pa’s garden now sit empty, collecting dust on the shelves.

Egg cartons have begun piling up atop the dresser where you no longer look.

And games that were once so dear to you and I have simply gone unnoticed over time – lost to the darkness.

You have been so callously stolen away – but your soul has forever latched to mine, and we have become entangled.

Though you have been led astray from who I once knew – you will always have a home within me.

The feeling of kissing your cheek and holding your hand will be forever burned into my skin.

Just as the way your eyes glisten while I speak will stay tucked away in my memories.

You have slowly disappeared into yourself, but we no longer ask you to remember – as it would simply be cruel.

We do not ask you to understand – for you are lost.

Time has beaten me to you once again – and placed you just out of reach.

Our memories will live forever – no one can steal those.

But the best of you is no longer here.

I have wished and wished for you to return, but that is not possible.

I may slip from your memory, but never will you from mine.

The person you were will never be forgotten.

I will forever hold you in my heart and mind as I so wish you could.

I love you always.