Umbrella
The word ‘umbrella’ was missing for three hours. If I hadn’t asked the cashier for ‘one of those thingies’ and been asked, ‘What, an umbrella?’ who knows how long it would’ve carried on…
I’ve no idea how long I lost the phrase ‘water bottle’. Didn’t need it until I did. I had to make the gesture of drinking an invisible something.
Disappearing words. You know straight away from the worried look on a face you don’t recognize. They could be anyone. Have any name. And right then the words ‘umbrella’ and ‘water bottle’ come to you worthlessly.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYour micro writing makes me think and question, Melissa. I would love to sit down with you and ask so many questions about your enigmatic story.
I would quite enjoy that, Margarida! Alzheimer’s Disease is the cruelest of all. I was thinking while writing it that memories, or words, for those who are afflicted would be like a hand trying to hold onto a fistful of rainwater. No matter how tight you squeeze, it just isn’t possible. There came the words “umbrella” and “water bottle”. Thank you so much for your comment!
What a well-written, disturbing story, Melissa. You’ve encapsulated the feeling of helplessness that must accompany memory loss. We’ve all experienced fleeting moments like this – they get more frightening as we grow older. You’ve certainly set a high bar for this micro contest!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleMy best friend’s dad went through this as well as having Parkinson’s disease. I tried to be supportive but I fear I was of little help. This is very scary for all involved. I hope there are findings in the coming years, in medicine, that can help with such a disease as this!
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Julie!
Melissa, this is such a heartbreaking story. It’s such an awful situation to be in. As a nurse, mainly working with the elderly, I had a lot of experiences with caring for patients with Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease and various other disorders that cause memory loss of varying degree. It’s heartbreaking to see people losing parts of who they are. I have an aunt who no longer recognises her own husband… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCarrie, thank you so much for sharing this with me! I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you, and how hard it must have been to care for those that live with these illnesses. My friend’s father dealt with both Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. I tried to be supportive as I could. You nurses are all heroes in my book! So, thanks from me to you for serving those who… Read more »
How well you have captured the frightening signs of Alzheimer’s, Melissa and how those suffering must feel. I know how frustrated I can be when I’m unable to recall a word, it’s unimaginable what those who suffer from this terrible disease go through. A heart-breaking story.
I agree it is unimaginable, Linda. I hope they are able to find a cure for it someday soon. I can think of nothing worse than the loss of memories and words. Thank you for your comment!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleMelissa, this is such a sad reality for so many people. I read your comments too and also hope they would somehow find a cure soon. Just thinking how frustrating it is to not remember a word every once in a while, I cannot begin to understand how it must feel if it happens constantly. It must be terrifying. This was well-written.
Thank you for your comment, Marianne. I agree that it is frustrating to not remember a word every once in a while, it happens to all of us from time to time. I cannot imagine how scary it must feel to lose the right over our own memories and words.
Poignant, heartbreaking, but I love it. Such a beautiful piece of writing that evokes emotion into us all. I think it’s one of those things I fear the most! I love your response to Margarida too about how you see remembering as trying to grasp water, because that’s exactly what it’s like!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you for your comment! I have a hard time imagining what it must be like. This was the best I could do, having no personal experiences with the disease. How would it feel losing something you’ve assumed your whole life you’d always have? We should never take for granted the privilege of remembering!
I completely agree! And I think you wrote the subject perfectly!
Thank you!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThe truth behind your story is tearful and frightening, Melissa. I can’t quite imagine having Alzheimer’s disease. That is a very difficult situation. It is very well-written and well portrayed. Nice one. I love it.
I’m glad you liked the story, Lotchie. Thank you so much for this lovely comment!
You are welcome, Melissa.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis is a well-written story, Melissa. You’ve used every word wisely and your use of first person makes it a personal experience. The last line, when the words “umbrella” and “water bottle” come back, especially packs a punch. Excellent writing.
Thank you for this comment, Juma! Means a bunch coming from a writer like yourself.
This is such a great story to show from inside what it’s like to suddenly miss words in your vocabulary! I especially love the last word in your story, when you say that the words come back “worthlessly”, a great play with words. As you say, this happens to all of us once in a while. Most of the time, we can blame circumstances. For me, for example, when I can’t find… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you for your comment, Christer. That does sounds like quite the advantage. You know three languages? How impressive! That would be a lot to remember.