In a poignant account, Sara Stewart reflects on a troubling moment with her mother, Barbara Cole, who began showing signs of dementia after a series of strokes. Despite the challenges, Stewart opted to keep her mother in her familiar home with support. However, during a visit in 2014, a shocking question from her mother about their relationship struck Stewart deeply, highlighting the painful reality of memory loss and the expectations surrounding parent-child dynamics as roles reverse with aging.
I didn't want to yank her out of her home, Ms. Stewart said. So with a squadron of helpers... Ms. Cole remained in the house she and her late husband had built.
I felt like I'd been kicked. Ms. Stewart remembers thinking that in the natural course of things, you were supposed to die before me. But you were never supposed to forget who I am.
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