Did you ever wake up feeling confused and out of place?
It's not a feeling that is very nice.
Not knowing where you are or what day it would be.
Struggling with your thoughts...trying to see.

Try to imagine that feeling.....never going away.
Trying to find your place every single day.
Trying so hard to remember why
and the only answer you get is a sigh.

Daylight is here and it's not so bad
but then.......why oh why are you so sad?
No one around you seems to know.
They don't seem to know you have places to go.

If only you could find some face you knew
Just what would you do if this happens to you?
Step into my shoes for only a day
Perhaps you will know why I run away.

What would you do if you could no longer tie your shoe
And when it's time to dress you don't know what to do
What if you didn't know when or how to shower
A task so great that perhaps you too would cower.

If I strike out and seem to be mean
Perhaps it is over things that can't be seen
Step into my shoes for only a day
Maybe then you will see why I act this way.

So please remember as you care for me today
To treat me with kindness and love in every way
Be patient and tender as you guide me along my way
Step into my shoes for only a day.

Written by Brenda Race 3/06/99 (c)

Copyright © 1999 Brenda Race
Used with permission of the author.

Brenda was caregiver to her mother for a year
until her mother was placed in a nursing home in
December 1998. This poem was written almost three
months later on March 6, 1999. Brenda continued to
visit her mother and to share hours with her until her
mother's death in December 1999. Brenda has posted
her beautiful poetry at A Window on My Mind
and it can be found in Insights at Alzheimer's
Outreach as well as at her own site,
Poems, Prayers and Promises.

Email Brenda at: brace47@charter.net