Awakening Dreams - Memories

In honor of Mental Health Month, we discuss memories. Why do we forget them? What causes us to forget? How do we comfort a loved one who has dementia? The last couple of months have been challenging in that my mom isn't well, but grateful that she is quickly recovering. Last year, we needed to move her into a nursing facility because of her dementia. It was heartbreaking. Seeing this vibrant outspoken woman's life change prompted me to find a comparison between depression and dementia. I've noticed not only my mom but some others I have known who have suffered from depression are also going through some form of dementia. Can this be true? I looked for a spiritual correlation between the two and didn't find one that dealt with spiritualism alone and did not have an organized religion association. What I was looking for was are we made to lose cognitive skills in order to forget our depression? Is it a form of letting go of the past? Lao Tzu quoted "If you are depressed, you're living in the past. If you have anxiety, you're living in the future. If you have peace, you're living in the present". A study of the association between depression and dementia by HealthDay News reported on WebMD. "Depression is a risk factor for dementia, researchers report, and people with more symptoms of depression tend to suffer a more rapid decline in thinking and memory skills. While the study found an association between the two, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship." A Healthline article on vascular dementia "Vascular dementia is caused by a narrowing or blockage in the blood vessels that provide blood to your brain. This reduced blood flow deprives your brain of much-needed oxygen, which can damage your brain very quickly. Numerous conditions can cause this reduced blood flow to your brain, including: high blood pressure diabetes aneurysm or blood clot heart attack stroke Of those, stroke is the most common cause of vascular dementia. Vascular problems, such as stroke, high cholesterol, and hypertension, aren't related to Alzheimer's disease, as they are with vascular dementia. There is no known cause of Alzheimer's, though your risk of developing it increases with age." I guess I'm trying to make sense of memory loss. I'm at the stage in my life where many of my friends and family are dealing with a loved one with dementia. It saddens me to see such beautiful people with beautiful lives lose their history. The poem for this week is Memories—dedicated to my mom; from my upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. This poem is also in my book Inspire Me Series Book 1 & 2 with excerpts from my upcoming book. Memories Today I go through my mom's memories I go through her pictures I go through her life's stories I find her in the past The memories she has forgotten The ones from long ago That linger in the glimpse of her life Today I go through my mom's memories The ones she has tucked away The ones her strokes cheated from her The painful memories erased What can I do to make your life easier? What can I say to erase your traumas? Do I ignore—when you forget? Do I keep your sadness in my heart? Today I go through my mom's memories The disappointments she kept close to her heart The wanting to be loved yet feeling abandoned The simple dreams she was deterred from The disappointments fade The abandonment fades The sadness lingers Today I go through my mom's memories And merge my memories with hers Feeling the sadness, the disappointments Wishing the sadness to fade I love you, mom   Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2 AARP article on the Difference Between Dementia & Alzheimers Symphony of Soul - Dementia a Spiritual Perspective WebMD - Scientists Shed Light on the Link between Depression & Dementia   Almost Bliss by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5032-almost-bliss License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license