It's been a long time since we first felt the beginning to this end.
And today we pray before you; your family and your friends.
We've watched your thoughts get more obscure with every passing day;
As this heartless thing called Alzheimer's made them fade away.
Gradually it took the gleam from those once so loving eyes.
To befall on such a giving man...it seemed so unjustified.
Stripping you of everything, leaving nothing in its place...
Except a look of sadness left upon your face.
As long as we have searched, through all the tears we've cried...
We've tried to find the reason for this long good-bye.
But now it's time to take back all your memories...
As you are finally free from this cruel disease.
We pledge to remember the man that you once were;
A good hearted, giving man is all that will be heard.
And every night when we look up and see a certain star...
We will know within our hearts exactly where you are.
So on this day we say good-bye as you now depart.
Although far from our touch, never far from our hearts.

Copyright © 1999 Ellen Miller
Used with permission of the author.

Ellen's father died of Alzheimer's disease in 1998.
She says she wrote this poem to help herself and others
"remember the man he once was, instead of who the
disease had made him become."

Email Ellen at: miller@siservices.net