The Living~Dying Duet: Farewell and Grief

The Audience is an Active Part of the Living~Dying Duet

The Early-Stage Dementia diagnosis is mine, the Living-Dying Duet is being danced in my life, and I'm playing the music for the duet. It seems there are three participants in the Living~Dying Duet: Living, Dying, and me.

Yes we are three direct participants, but we are not the only ones affected by the Living~Dying process. Living~Dying affects many people -- my family, my friends, acquaintances, current and past connections, and many others. Each of these people have their own music for Living~Dying, and it may be much different than mine. There is no right or wrong music, it is for each person to play the music that is right for their own Living~Dying Duet. For my Living to have the value I want it to have, and for my Dying to have the meaning that I want it to have, I need to play the music that I feel is appropriate for my Living~Dying Duet. Part of the Farewell/parting from each person is for me to play my music so they can hear it from me. I want my music to be part of their grieving, so they know that my Living~Dying Duet was danced according to my music. Even in the terrible situation of dementia and its result I hope they will find some comfort in knowing that I played the song I wanted to for my Living~Dying Duet.