{"product_id":"lucienne-94-living-with-alzheimers","title":"Lucienne, 94 - Living with Alzheimer's","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“People have called me Lucille my whole life. I’ve never been sure what they wanted it to be. Lucienne, you say? Golly, maybe my memory is gone now, dear. Dennis gets really irritated that I don’t remember things. And my surname, it’s Grace? Where are we now?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI don’t know where I was born. Maybe it was Auckland Park, or Yugoslavia. I’m not quite sure anymore. I didn’t know my parents. Daddy was Swiss, I think. I never really saw him. Perhaps it was him that taught me to speak French. I can understand it, but I don’t speak it. I did speak Italian. We were very naughty when we were younger. We would say, “Quando ero giovane baciavo mia madre. Ora che sono vecchio, bacio il mio amante.” That means, “When I was young, I kissed my mother. Now that I’m old, I kiss my lover.” Much to Mummy’s dismay.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut Daddy, I haven’t a clue where he is. Perhaps he’s off gallivanting with some other woman. Mummy comes from a family of nine children, something like that. She has a good job in an office. She is very hard-working. She is a good woman. A good mother. I used to watch her in the kitchen. She doesn’t come round much anymore.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis picture here is my daughter, Jennifer, my only daughter. I don’t remember where she lives. I don’t remember those sorts of things. That’s the trouble. Blimey, my memory is not what it used to be. I don’t remember my childhood at all. That’s the thing that bothers me, that I can’t even remember.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI was born on the 31st of August 1931. I suppose I’m now 70. I don’t feel 70 though. Where did you say we are? What’s the name of this place? Is this where I live? It’s a rather nice place. Beautifully maintained gardens. You really should have some cake, dear. Did you make it? I haven’t had cake in years. I’m looking at those chairs over there, the ones at the dining table. Whose are those, dear?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI suppose I’m happy here. I’m happy to see you smile like you do. It’s a cheeky smile. You rascal, you. I do crosswords, but I’m really no good. Crosswords are very complicated. I like to keep up to date on the news, and I cook. It keeps me busy and out of trouble. And I play that piano for two hours a day. I’ve been playing since I was a young girl. I used to play for the soldiers. There was a man, Paul. Rather dashing man. Loved by all the ladies. He would take us to play for the soldiers. I’ve never really known why. Perhaps I’ve forgotten. You should really have some cake, dear. Did you make it? It’s been years since I had cake. So, who are you again? How did you come here, dear? Is that your car? She’s a beauty.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI met Dennis at church. Catholic church. He was a rather handsome chap. I can picture him in a suit and tie, looking smart. He was one who worked with numbers. An accountant, I think. I can’t remember if it was love at first sight, but he was a good father. You could say I miss him, but I’d like to miss him more than I do. It’s not that I dislike him. I just struggle with my memory. If I remember correctly, he was ill? He ought to visit more often, the old chap.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI must have a maid here. Oh, there she is. I think she does an okay job. I only have her round once or twice a week. This place is small, and there really isn’t much to do that I can’t do myself. I’ve always been the one to cook. How did you come here, dear? Is that your car over there? It’s a very fancy car.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI should perhaps play some piano. I ought to play more, but I don’t remember the music. Don’t you want some cake, dear? Goodness, this is a rather large slice for me. I ought to be watching my weight these days. Is that a helicopter flying over us? It’s rather low, don’t you think? How did you come here? Is that your car over there? She really is a beauty. Now, who is your wife, dear? Linda? She always was a beautiful lady, that one. How could I ever forget that face.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTell me, dear, who are my children? My bambinos. Oh yes, Anthony and Anne. And Jennifer. Where are they living? I should give them a call. We don’t talk often. I don’t recall seeing them for years. Where is Anthony? Who is he? I always did love being with them, my children. Letting them be free to be themselves. I do miss them, I’m sure I do, but I’ve forgotten.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhere am I, dear? Is this my home? The people appear to be mostly old here. Very accommodating, though. It’s a pleasant place, I’m sure. I never remember who they all are, though. You see that house over there? That’s Norman who lives there. I don’t trust him. He appears quite devious, standing in his rose bushes, checking us out. He really is up to something, the old boy. The others are very pleasant; they don’t give me any trouble. I will sometimes play the organ for them at the clubhouse. Have you been there before? We should go there for dinner sometime. My treat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI see a flicker of a person outside. Yes, there’s a guy there, cleaning. That can’t be Dennis, surely. He’s a dark-skinned man. Dennis was very fair-skinned, the poor boy. Where is Dennis at the moment? At work, I’m sure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis really seems to be a nice place. Really well maintained. Where are we? Is this where I live? Golly, I can’t think of anything else. Are you not going to have any cake, dear? Did you bake it?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt never did occur to me that I may die one day. It hasn’t struck me as something important. I’m not afraid, though. I have no reason to be. But I think everyone is. I haven’t thought about being reunited with Dennis. He’s been such a good chap, you know. A real good chap. I’m sure he’s in heaven. I wouldn’t mind seeing him again. I don’t know how he’d feel about it. It could be interesting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI’ve been happy. I’ve had a good life. I’m happy in my life still. There’s no reason to be unhappy, you know. If I want to play the piano, I’ve got two hours to sit down and think of music. But then if I go to the kitchen, I enjoy cooking. Just one sort of cooking, one type of cuisine. In a pan of some sort.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI don’t sleep at all during the day. Occasionally, I might have a little nap if I don’t have visitors. There’s really no reason why I should feel tired. It’s not like I’ve been doing anything. I see someone outside that window. I see some figure outside. He keeps turning around. He’s up to no good, surely. Do you know who that could be? It can’t be Dennis, surely. He’s at work.”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warren Grace Photography","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51427817488680,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0890\/5605\/1496\/files\/Lucienne_c44c2dbf-7208-4268-b235-9a9312db20fb.jpg?v=1770980510","url":"https:\/\/warrengracephotography.com\/products\/lucienne-94-living-with-alzheimers","provider":"Warren Grace Photography","version":"1.0","type":"link"}