01/28/2026
Lately in sessions, I’ve been using the phrase “real-time grief.”
It’s the grief of missing someone who is still sitting right in front of you.
It’s the wife of 50 years whispering, “I miss my husband,” even though he’s sitting beside her - because the man she knew is slowly fading.
It’s the 45 year-old daughter who feels guilty for not feeling the same connection with her mom anymore… then breaks down crying, “I just miss my mommy.”
This isn’t lack of love.
This is what happens when dementia changes a relationship before life ends.
Caregivers are grieving the past, managing the present, and worrying about the future - all at once. That’s heavy.
If this is you, please know: your feelings make sense. You are not alone, and you are not doing this wrong. 💜