It's a cruel thing.  When I was visiting my parents for Christmas, we paid a visit to one of Mum's oldest friends.  Carol was like a second Mum growing up, I was only about 2 when we moved in to the house behind theirs more than 40 years ago.  So whenever I'm visiting the folks, we always pop in to see Carol.

It had been a few months since we'd visited, so this visit we noticed a big difference.  Whilst she's nowhere near the state you've described here with your Dad, I can see it coming like an oncoming train.  We could still have a conversation, but it was punctuated with the same questions or statements over and over.  We were only there a couple of hours, but it was heartbreaking to see that glimpse into what's coming.

It really makes me wonder what the future holds for me. Will there come a time where I'm in that boat and no longer recognise my daughter?

Life is a cruel mistress.