Dementia Support Line
'The Red Robin': Georgina's poem dedicated to her Grandad
Georgina, 21, has written a poem inspired by her Grandad Brian, who sadly died of dementia. It's about his favourite bird, a robin. Whenever she sees one now she smiles and thinks of him.
My Grandad, Brian, was diagnosed with dementia while I was in secondary school. Unless you’ve been affected by dementia in some way, it’s hard to explain the real heartbreaking impact that it has on the people you love.
To see someone get upset or frustrated because they can’t do what they used to, to see their memory deteriorate and to not remember some or all of their life, it can't be put into words.
Grandad always put others first
I would go round my grandparents’ house a few times a week and my grandad would always give me the brightest smile and ask how I was. On the darkest of days, his smile truly lit up the room.
Georgina's Grandad Brian.
He would always reply back when asked how he was with, ‘Not too bad, not too bad,’ even when I could see he was unwell. This reflects how selfless he really was, forever asking how others were doing, forever putting others first.
This poem is dedicated to a loving husband, father and grandad, who loved watching the little red robin in his chair.
The same robin appears at the house to this day. It’s a reminder to always treasure the moments we have with the people we love the most.
Brian's favourite bird, the robin redbreast, on his bird table.
Grandad, our lives are incomplete, the sun doesn’t shine as bright. You will forever be my role model and will always remain the brightest star in the sky.
Together we will find a cure, together we will beat dementia
The Red Robin
by Georgina Stray
You sit in your patterned armchair every day,
Not knowing what to do or knowing what to say.
You find it hard to remember what you have just done,
But sit and listen carefully to the birds which have sung.
You sit so peacefully, trying to remember,
All of the memories that we have shared together,
But you struggle, due to this horrible disease,
So instead you decide to watch the birds in the trees.
There sits a red belly robin, on a nearby branch,
‘Robins are my favourite’ you smile and glance.
The little things that remind us you’re still here,
Even though the memories may not be near.
So every morning we would sit watching the birds
Waiting for your favourite robin to appear,
Even if you may forget, even when your mind isn’t clear.
Just to see you smile at the robin again,
I could sit and watch this for hours, my friend.
Now I sit and I watch on my own,
Hoping that the robin isn’t far from home.
And when I see that robin, a tear is in my eye,
Knowing you are there, that you are nearby.
Although you couldn’t always remember
I miss you and your smile,
And these are memories I will treasure forever.
Dementia, we won’t let you win,
You can take memories, but we will never let you in.
You take the people we love from us,
Take their memories, their love, their trust.
But we will continue to build on every day,
Making new memories even if they may fade away.
You won’t take his smile, you can’t take the robin away.
If you have a question about dementia or need some support, call our helpline to speak with our expert advisers, or join Dementia Talking Point to chat with other people in your situation.
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Rebecca
saysGeorgina, this brought a tear to my eye. We’ve sadly lost a few family members (including our mum to dementia) over the years.
May they all now RIEP.
Sherel Heaven
saysSuch a wonderful poem Georgina. I love robins too.
Glynnis
saysGeorgina, How beautiful your poem is, a lovely way to remember your Grandad.
And the words you write are very comforting for you and to so many people too who's loved ones are affected by dementia.
Natalie Salaman
saysI enjoyed this so much. Very moving and made my wonderful dad who died of dementia in 2018 come to mind. Do see www.lifestoryhub.com for more ideas about dementia and poetry.
jyoti
saysGeorgina
Your poem sings all our songs
Reflects our global pain of living or buried memories
Gives us hope that our loved one final day would become A Robin
xx jyoti
jyoti
saysGeorgina
Your poem sings all our songs
Reflects our Pain of living or buried hurtful journeys
Gives us “ A Hope” how all our loved ones we are caring for would become a “Robin” one day
xx jyoti
Susan Reynolds
saysWhat a beautiful poem Georgina
You are a credit to your grandad Brian
You are so right
Denies cruel as it denies the recipient of so much too soon
My mother in law also passed away with dementia and my Aunt and uncle have both been diagnosed, I hope that the cure for Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia isn’t too far away
Sadly it won’t bring your grandad back to you, but his memories will live on with you
May your god bless you
Lorraine
saysBeautiful poem George well done. We lost our mum to vascular dementia. She was a beautiful lady & we all
Miss her dearly. She loved the robin that came to mum & dads grdn & mum would sit & smile everyday.its comforting to know that our loved ones are near us. Let's keep hoping & praying for a cure for this cruel illness.
Lorraine
saysBeautiful poem George we lost our mum last year to vascular dementia. She used to love the robin that came every day my mum & dads grdn. So sad this illness is so cruel. We'll never stop hoping & praying for s cure.& we'll always keep raising money for research.
Sarah Collins
saysSo beautiful my dad also loved birds and he watched them every day and loved them so every time I see Robins or Bluetits I smile x
Melanie Anderson
saysAbsolutely beautiful x
Han Hughes
saysLovely poem my dad passed away November 4th last year. The one thing he kept right to the end was his smile. We would sit for hours no conversation just holding hands and the smile would appear. The smile is so important as it shows they are still there somewhere but they are there. Make the most if the time you have take photos but always remember the smile. When you do that the robins will appear or sometimes it’s a white feather from nowhere hang on to those moments they are precious.
Chris
saysMy mum died of dementia 4years ago. That poem was lovely. I remember one day sitting with mum. Another little man was sitting near. Cliff Richard was on cd. And then came on the music. The man swayed
His head and tapped the chair arm in tune. My mum was loosing her speach by this time. I started to sing. And mum tried her best to join in. I had the biggest lump in my throat. The song was “the next time “ .
Sue
saysThat’s beautiful Georgina. The saying goes that “ Robins appear when loved ones are near” my husband passed away with Parkinsons and Lewy Bodies Dementia snd my sister 3 weeks after with Alzheimer’s and l have another sister in a care home totally bedridden with Leet Bodies such a wicked condition.
So glad you have beautiful memories of your grandad, hold onto them forever 💜💜💜
Julia Farnsworth
saysGeorgina precious memories stay in your heart. Robin has a significance for our dad too and I have a chirpy conversation with him when Robin visits my garden knowing my dad is there. Dementia is cruel. Love to you