I was saddened today when I phoned a friend who was born on Groundhog Day to wish her a Happy Birthday, and she told me that her sister, who had been my classmate in college, has developed Alzheimer's and is in a nursing home. This may be the first time that I have gotten a glimpse of what married couples go through when one spouse develops Alzheimer's. It hurts to think that an old friend, whose company I enjoyed, is now sitting in a home with all memory of me erased from her mind.
My friend still sends her sister birthday cards which are read to her by her companion, but he says she shows no glimmer of perception regarding her family. Very sad.