In this heartfelt account, a daughter embarks on a poignant trip with her father, who grapples with dementia. Their adventure takes them back to the “Old Country,” where reminiscence therapy plays a pivotal role. As they navigate logistics and unexpected challenges, their bond deepens, revealing the fragility of memory and the passage of time.
Departure and Anticipation
The anticipation hung heavy in the air as we prepared for our transatlantic journey. My father’s cognitive struggles were evident, yet his excitement was palpable. We navigated time zones, alarms, and flight details, bridging the gap between our worlds. His bellowed insistence that he didn’t need an alarm became our shared secret, a testament to our intertwined roles as caregiver and companion.
Troubles Along the Way
The Pants Dilemma
My father arrived in Providence wearing seafoam slacks—faintly discolored around the crotch, a testament to his occasional incontinence. I’d bought him new Italian pants, but the old ones clung to him like memories. As we embarked on our Italian adventure, I realized that our raggedy attire mirrored the passage of time. We were both frayed, yet resilient.
Mismatched Shoes
Sipping cappuccino in Como, I noticed his shoes—Mephistos, the same model he’d worn for decades. But these weren’t identical twins; they were shades of brown, splitting at the seams, and bearing holes in the soles. His mismatched footwear became a metaphor for our shared journey—imperfect, yet steadfast. Time, it seemed, had nibbled at us both.
Navigating Memories
The Unspoken Connection
As we strolled through cobblestone streets, memories resurfaced. My father’s eyes held fragments of the past—the scent of olive groves, the laughter of childhood friends. Reminiscence therapy, unspoken but powerful, wove our narratives together. We didn’t need flight numbers or schedules; we had shared moments etched in our hearts.
