Yes, Virginia, There Really Is A Santa Claus!

I've heard it said that those with memory loss meet new people every day. I think this applies to THINGS as well. Mom tends to find new items, especially clothing, every day. Just yesterday, she was looking through her closet to find a Spring jacket since the weather is turning warmer. She pulled out a blue and white jacket, looked at the size, and asked if it was mine. I looked at it, recognized it as something she'd worn last Spring, and told her so. She replied, "No, I didn't. I've never seen this jacket before in my life!" Ummmmm... wrong! She had seen it before. She wore it last year. Seriously, doesn't she remember????? How can she not?????

Something similar happened in the Fall. She reached into her closet, pulled out a red barn jacket from Land's End, asked if it was mine, and said "I've never seen this jacket before in my life!" Only, that time, I had not ever seen the jacket before. Strange. I thought it was coincidence, but Mom was convinced that someone had come into our house and put the jacket in our closet. I can only smile. Apparently, Santa Claus DOES exist.

Mom's logic escapes me. But I let it go because I don't want her to feel badly. I think she knows that she is not making sense. I think she knows that her memory is failing her. If she knows this, she doesn't need me to make the point any stronger. It's my job is make this phase of her life easier. So, if she thinks there is a Santa Claus, then so do I. ;-)