My father passed I want to say some 9 years ago after a period of illness during which my mother and my 20-year-old self were his caretakers. He had developed dementia as a result of untreated diabetes, as well as other complications. I want to say you'd be surprised what this does to a barely functioning, already depressed 20-year-old, but I do not think one would.
I have a very good memory, and I do not forget much or forget easily. It is the bad things that I remember most clearly, sadly. Dementia-fueled mutterings and pained cries, some unpleasant stuff from before his illness, how terrible my last interaction with him was, the absolute bullshit circumstances around his death which deserve a rant of their own. Part of me wishes I could, rather than forget, move on. I agree with SpencerSDH's comment, though I do not necessarily think recording their voices is for everyone, I don't think it is for me...
But to be honest... both culturally and personally, I don't have things like what's displayed in this chapter. No family reunion holidays or days/traditions of mourning the dead, I guess other than memorial days, no traditions of visiting graves, giving life reports to deceased loved ones, etc... I'd give anything to hear his voice now. Anything to hear his opinions on the last three years, with him coming from a medical background. Not necessarily apologize, but do things over.
There isn't much of a point to the above, I'm just sharing. This chapter was all sorts of special, and it brought back some powerful emotions to the surface.
