A cake, a card, a present. Blowing out the candles. The rituals of birthdays for ever.

Knowing that people care to remember your birthday, even when you may have forgotten it yourself. That makes you feel just a little bit special, and loved, and that moment of magic can lift you up for the rest of the day.

Plant labels written out neatly in a row, seedlings poking their heads through the soil. The rituals of spring that remind us of the season and the anticipation of proper sunshine.

Expectations of giant yellow sunflowers and succulent green cucumbers, of Marigolds and Beetroot.

Beauty to look forward to, a living thing to nurture and care for, and watch it grow.

For some of us, the very reason to come out of bed for in the morning.

Moments of magic.

….for a walk. Yes I know it’s cold but there is no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing!

Having made silly hats we now have to wear them. Sometimes it’s great to just be a little silly.

Living with dementia does not have to mean doing without the joys of listening to live music and dancing. And even if you don’t like dancing, you might just enjoy other people doing the twist!. This was today’s live music and dancing hour at the Lodge, our small community for people living with the later stages of dementia.