I had lunch two days ago with a dear friend. I have known her for almost 40 years. She had a long career as an elementary-school principal. She is divorced with four grown sons. Our sons were friends when they were children.
Over the past few years, I have noticed she doesn't remember shared experiences we have had.
At first, I took it personally, and felt these events might have just meant more to me than to her.
Then at this most-recent lunch, her memory seemed really poor.
She didn't even remember my older son's wedding party which was a fairly large affair which she attended with one of her sons and his wife. (FYI--her sister actually officiated at this wedding.It was only family in attendance at the wedding itself, but this friend suggested her sister officiate.)
She couldn't remember the names of people we both knew, and acted surprised when I spoke of another friend's sister.
("I didn't know her sister"., when in fact she did.) There are many more examples like this....
It was so nice to see her, we have so much history together. But it also felt odd. At times she is very lucid, and then she seems very befuddled.
I do know her mother had Alzheimer's disease. I just hope this isn't the case with my friend.
It is just sad, and I can't stop thinking about her.