Ted didn’t know he was lost. And perhaps he wasn’t, at least not lost to himself, wandering with an impish grin through the woods. But he was lost to me. And the panic was mine.
Ted remained calm. He didn’t know we quartered the forest looking for him.
One day soon, he won’t realise he’s Ted. But I will. And, together, we’ll keep Ted alive. We’ll fill the mailboxes of his mind, so long as he still owns the keys.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
I like the idea that Ted is perfectly happy, it’s a comforting way to look at a horrible affliction.
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I’m not sure that it is possible to lose your identity bit by bit and be happy. But, in fiction, it’s possible
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Outstanding piece! Especially, “We’ll fill the mailboxes of his mind, so long as he still owns the keys.”
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Thanks so much, Reena. And for reblogging it
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Reblogged this on Reena Saxena and commented:
Keeping Ted Alive – an outstanding piece of fiction by Neil Macdonald
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I right enjoyed reading this, though for Ted it is not so good
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He seems happy enough. Thanks so much, Michael
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Dear Neil,
It sounds like soon Ted will lose the key. Having watched my MIL fade away bit by bit until she was only vaguely human makes this story personal. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle.
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What a powerful piece. ‘We’ll fill the mailboxes of his mind, so long as he still owns the keys.’ Beautiful. Such a loving portrayal of a horrible condition.
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Thanks so much, Jenne. I’m glad you liked that line
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Moving story. Life can be so cruel and the only thing anyone can do is make the most out of it.
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Thanks so much, Tannille
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Well done. I need to watch the new Anthony Hopkins film about dementia.
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Thanks so much, Joshua. I had promised myself not to write any more dementia pieces, but the words insisted on coming
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Well, Neil, that was disquieting.
And also excellent.
Quality writing, sir.
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Thats so kind. Thanks, pal
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He seems to be confused, but not distressed. Not yet, anyway. A brilliant take Neil.
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Thanks so much, Keith
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It’s especially sad because there’s no known cure for something like that
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Not yet
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Dementia – it’s happening to my husband, but he’s not happy, he’s bad-tempered!.
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I’m sorry to hear that, Liz
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A very unfortunate, by heartwarming story. With Alzheimers (just a guess) I wonder who suffers more, the one with the condition or the caretakers. Excellent wordsmithing.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re very welcome.
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by = but
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That’s beautiful writing, Neil – really distinctive. Kudos!
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Thanks so much, Penny
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What a fascinating story. I especially love the phrase “quartered the forest” of his mind(?), which speaks to me of order, even martial order, AND of shelter. So much love and loss in this one. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks so much, Anne
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What a wonderfully well-written piece, despite the tragedy of the situation. I can tell the love of the main character though, even when the actions won’t be recognized or appreciated. Well done.
-David
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Thanks so much, David
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A horrible affliction, but he seems to be unaware and happy in himself, I’m glad of that.
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Ignorance is bliss, perhaps
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Provided it is a happy world where Ted is lost. A sad story as so many people suffer from this disease.
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He seems pretty happy
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This was amazing, Neil! As you mentioned above, I think it rarely happens so blisfully. But you never know. And maybe ignorance truly is bliss.
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Thanks so much, Fatima
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I love “filling the mailboxes of his mind.” This is a great description of caring for one with Alzheimer’s.
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Thanks so much, Linda
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Excellent writing, and as most of the others have said already, great last line. For those who are lost in their own minds, we can only hope they are happy.
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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he wouldn’t never be alone with folks caring for him like that.
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He seems happy enough
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Wonderful take on the creep of dementia!
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Thanks so much, Susan
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This was excellently done. Love the analogies, and the conflict, and the tension between the lost and the found, the content and the worried. Nice!
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Thanks so much.
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🙂
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Oh this got me right I the feels. Poor Ted
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Right IN the feels
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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This is so well written and so very sad. The end is particularly poignant ‘We’ll fill the mailboxes of his mind as long as he still owns the keys.’ Beautifully expressed. Well done Neil.
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Thanks so much, Derek
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We’ll fill the mailboxes of his mind, so long as he still owns the keys.– wonderful line.
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Thanks so much
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What an excellent take on the photo prompt Neil. A horrible affliction for those around Ted, but thankfully Ted is none the wiser.
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Thanks so much. I wanted to write a happy(ish) dementia story
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You accomplished that!
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So poignant, especially the first paragraph.
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Thanks so much, Magarisa
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