Imagine a world

Imagine a world where you wake up and don't know your own name. Imagine a day when you sit by the window waiting for your children to come. Imagine the end of that day going back to your room only to sit by that window tomorrow waiting for the family who never comes to see you.

Imagine sitting in your room alone, without your belongings, without your friends or family. Depending on a stranger to answer your bell and put you into the bathroom if you are able to do even that. Your home is gone, your spouse has died, your children rarely call. You wake up in pain, go to bed in pain. The memories you have are skewed, what was real and what was a show on your tv last night? You live to eat but don't eat enough to live. Your eyes are failing and your mind plays tricks on you. You cannot even tell who the photos on your wall are. You nap between sleeps, you sleep between naps.

Imagine that man or woman who shares your room is a stranger to you. No one asked you if you wanted them, no one cares if you don't. Other people touch your things, other people brush your teeth and comb your hair.

Imagine being reduced to crying alone in your room because you need something and don't know what the word is for it. Imagine knowing you are fading and knowing you cannot stop it. Your mind is going blank and you can feel the words being erased inside your head.

Imagine being told when to get up, what to wear, when to eat and what to eat.
Imagine sitting at the end of the hall, people passing by but no one stopping to talk to you, to say your name, to listen to you.

Imagine wheeling yourself through the halls all day long, hall by hall in a circle, looking for your sister, mother, father. Imagine talking to a picture on your wall because you think your beloved husband is there.

Imagine living in a world of memories because there is no dignity in reality.
Imagine wishing you were done, that life was over.

Imagine being old.