meet the parents

Parent the first:

My father in law. He called round this morning while my wife was out for a run, so I sat him down and made him a coffee ("4 sugars please") while we waited for her to return. Turns out he had lost his front door key again. This has happened at least 4 times in the past 6 months, despite there being spare keys stashed around the house in open view. They've all disappeared, one by one, until we are now down just to the keys in our possession. My wife seems unphased, and peacefully takes him back to his house to let him in. But when she returns home again she is clearly badly upset by the incident. As the only child, all the pressure of dealing with his huge problems has fallen on her, and the stressing effect is cumulative.

Parent the second:

My mum. She also has the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, but she is years back down the road to oblivion from where my father-in-law is. In fact, she seems to have maintained her rally from her low point in the summer surprisingly well. Visiting her this afternoon she presented much of her old, sharp-witted, upbeat ways. I just hope she can keep it up over Christmas. That will be the crucible. Personally I have my doubts...