75. My Wife

You never forget your one true love.

It started with the little things

You forgot your keys

And I wasn't too worried

When you couldn't remember

What grade the grandchildren were in

But it slowly progressed

It crept up on us

When we were driving home

You were going in the wrong direction

And couldn't find our house

When you wore your Sunday best

On a Saturday

But forgot to button your shirt

That's when I grew concerned

That's when the fear really set in

The morning you woke up screaming

And called the police

Because you didn't recognize me

And I tried to explain to you

It's me, your loving wife

I never imagined you'd forget everything

From our wedding day

To all our children's names

And all the "I love you's"

From the past 50 years

But even if tomorrow you don't remember me

I'm still not going anywhere

I'll show you all the photos

To jog your memory

Because when I said our vows I meant them

I'll stay right by your side

Up until the day you die

And every day I will pray to the Lord

That at least one last time

You will say "I love you, my wife"

Author's Note

This poem is a about alzheimer's, something that is very close to my heart, as I knew someone with it.