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The month of October saw me striding for miles and miles across Scotland. 100 miles in total in fact. Steps taken in Fife and in Dundee, Dunfermline and Dumfries and Galloway. Solo and with my family and friends.The miles travelled, were to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK. A charity close to my heart.Nearly a year ago now, my father took unwell, and as the year has unfolded, the presence of dementia has become all too known in our lives.My Dad has always been so knowledgeable. Sharp as a pin, well read, and poised with all the answers. A veritable encyclopaedia to me during my childhood, and much of my adult life, his brain seemed to lack no boundaries. The knowledge and facts held, always astounding me.Most of this knowledge thankfully remains, but where he is in his mind, on any given day, at any given moment, can change.A merchant sailor by trade, he is often upon the waves, traversing the world’s oceans aboard a tanker or a vessel. Sometimes he is in the glen he grew up in. Sometimes he is working on paperwork at his office in Aberdeen.Each of these parts of him waxes and wanes, just as the moon does. Some days fuller than others.Often, he is ‘just Dad’. But often not for very long before he says or does something that makes me aware of how confused he is in actuality.And so, I took the challenge of 100 miles in October, to do something, both for him, and for me, and for all those others in dementia care.Delighted to have had precious time to think and to ponder. To look around this glorious autumnal world of ours. To breathe in the fresh air, and to let it fill my lungs.My Dad will always be an inspiration to me. Often I’ve thought of him this month… even whilst walking solo, I’ve felt him by my side. Quietly walking beside me
