Chatting With Juana
Stephen Mosher
When Mama’s dementia became apparent, I began documenting our conversations.
Mama: How many children do I have?
Me: Four.
Mama: Are they all here in the house right now?
Me: Three of us are.
Mama: You, Stephanie and Jimmy.
Me: Yes. Tony lives a few towns over.
Mama: Do I have grandchildren?
Me: Yes. Tony's children..
Mama: Erin and Alex ...
Me: They have a brother. He's in the Marines.
Mama: Fox.
Me: Stephanie has two daughters.
Mama: Ashley and Kimberly.
Me: Yes. Tony has a toddler.
Mama: Evie.
Me: Yes! You have great-grandchildren.
Mama: Liam and Nolan.
Me; YESSS!!! Do you remember your mother's name?
Mama: Marjorie.
Me. And your father?
Mama: Ben. Benny.
Me: But first..
Mama: Augustino.
Me: Celestino.
Mama: Celestino Augustino
Me: See? Even I didn't know his middle name.
Mama: I do.
Me: And your Grandmother?
Mama: Alta.
Me: And her last name?
Mama: Shit. She was married six times. I could never remember all those names!