Having my parents across the street is turning out to be harder than I thought. Better than I thought, too. Really, it’s both.

Dad’s dementia is very draining. He’s like an active preschooler.

And yet…and yet…there are sweet moments, too.

I took Dad to the grocery store again, and we stopped at the Starbucks line for a coffee. “Here. Today it’s on me,” he said. He fumbled in his pocket for some change and pulled out a quarter, a nickel, and two pennies.” He handed them to me, looking proud. “Better take this, too. You might need it.” He handed me another penny.

Sweet!