"Hey, Dad!"

My father looks at me with empty eyes, and then says, "Hey, eh Sylvia." He remembers my name now, but at the rate his Alzheimers is progressing, I bet it won't take long before the disease takes that away too.

He doesn't notice anymore how that effects my mom, but it does. She just does her job in taking care of him, but it takes out it's toll on her. I am happy that she finally sees what it does to her, and that she has reached out to ask for help in caring for him. 

All this has made me wonder: how can you be your authentic self as you see your parents deteriorate? How do you keep your light shining bright despite your sadness?