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Dad has been told about his diagnosis and is very unhappy about it.

I rang him today. He couldn't answer his phone without help. He said he was sorry for having dementia.

I said he would still have good days and bad days and could have more good days by eating and sleeping enough, and doing the physical and mental therapy on offer.

He said, "why bother?"

I said, we are all changing all time.time, but there are always opportunities to seize moments of happiness.

He said, "OK" in a very defeated voice.

Maybe I should have stayed in Texas longer.

Everyone over 80 in my family has gotten dementia (and skin cancer) so I guess this is my future too, if I live long enough. I guess I have about 30 years to make peace with that.

My dad has much less time and probably won't remember from one day to the next.