02/11/2026
What a blue kangaroo taught me about dementia…
I had the privilege of helping care for my mother-in-law who suffered from dementia in her later years.
It was one of the greatest honors of my life. She was a beautiful soul.
Talking to a parent or loved one with dementia will humble you.
As her dementia progressed, the stories became more… creative.
One day she told me she saw a kangaroo in her backyard here in Maryland.
Instead of correcting her, I said,
“A kangaroo? It’s early in the season for kangaroos! Was it a big one or a little joey?”
She replied, “It was a mother… and she was blue.”
And I said, “The blue ones are the prettiest.”
She smiled.
As her son-in-law, it was easier for me to go with the flow. Her children felt the weight of every misplaced word. When it’s your mom, it’s really not just confusion… it’s grief.
Now that my own parents’ memory and focus are starting to fade, I find myself wanting to correct. And I have to remind myself:
They won’t remember what I said.
They will remember how I made them feel.
If you’re caring for a parent or loved one with dementia, know this: what you are doing matters. It is sacred work. And even in the hardest moments, there can still be blue kangaroos, and smiles.
What unexpected lesson has caregiving taught you?
Let me know in the comments, or message me. I would love to hear from you.
Jim Dickey
The Little Realtor With A Big Heart
Senior Real Estate Specialist, CSA
VSells and Associates of Compass
202-498-1354
[email protected]
littlerealtorbigheart.com
