Beautiful, beautiful piece of writing. There are no words.

Ouch. This is even more beautiful than your other fics, but painful. Dementia is truly awful - losing yourself almost entirely. I recognised a lot of this fic as my grandmother died aged 101 with appalling end-stage dementia - personality gone also in the end, I'm afraid, no speech, no interaction at all with the world around her - it was a great shame she didn't die aged 85, as she was fiercely proud of her intellect. My Mum is petrified of the same thing happening to her, although she says at least she could book herself a ticket to Switzerland.

As a doctor, I also used to work a lot with elderly people ( I'm a paediatrician now; dementia has a lot to do with that). The saddest thing was often the so-called ethical philosophy that you must always be honest with people - in some cases, elderly people, happily asking when their spouse was visiting, would have the news broken to them several times a day that they were dead. My husband says he is going to write an advance directive if he ever sees himself going that way that he wants a tape made of phrases like "your children are visiting this afternoon" or "Wales have just won the Grand Slam!". I suppose that's partly what makes Sherlock's decision so sad in your story - when someone's trapped in the immediate present, the best you can do for them is ensure as much of their present as possible is happy - even if sometimes you have to fudge things a little to achieve that.

If you haven't already seen it, watch the Mitchell and Webb Sherlock Holmes in nursing home sketch on you-tube. It blends tragedy and comedy so seamlessly, it ends up being incredibly hard hitting, like the poppy scene at the end of Blackadder 4.

Anyway, loooong review, but I thought this story was wonderful!

Thanks so much, and I hope you write more some time.

I don't really know how to put into words how that even made me feel...it was beautiful, heart-wrenching, tragic, moving, painful and just wonderful. Excellently written. Made me cry. I just...I don't know. I love this as an interpretation of the "I wasn't the one that upset her…Mycroft" comment in the show, which actually really interested me because the tone made it sound like he was offended at the suggestion that he might have upset her, when he usually doesn't care if he upset people.

I think you got the depth of feeling, the guilt and the grief, very well, and having Sherlock face up to /that/ sort of mortality - of the mind, not the body - is extremely poignant and probably the most terrifying thing in the world for him. So very well done.

It genuinely hurt to read this, it was so immensely moving. It's...well, wow doesn't cover it, but I can't find a word that does.

-Lee x

This was very beautiful and very moving.

I've been coming to read your story everyday...at least twice a day, I even printed it and read it whenever I feel like...and yet it was so hard for me to write a review.

Writing a simple "this was beautiful and beyond me grasping for words" would be too easy.

Your story hurt, hurt in the most private way, it hurt like hell and it hurt like a knowledge of one's own vulnerability & insecurity, it hurt like seeing myself in a mirror.

Your story hurt because I was forced to face up my fallen hopes & rising fears. No matter what physical & mental disease one suffers from...they can see their closest ones watch and witness them feeling the pain, loss, despair and spirit.

Your story hurt because I was forced to see and admit that maybe one day, I'd need a John Watson to bring a Sherlock back into my life and remember the happier times. Even if for a while.

Sorry, I am still too touched and still too vulnerable to express myself better.

You wrote a story which should be brought up to sky - because there's the place where diamonds are supposed to sparkle.

Thank you.

That was beautiful ;_; My grandmother suffered from the same thing. It's so hard to deal with. I love the way you portrayed Sherlock and Mycroft.

Fantastic story! I love the relationship between Sherlock and John, and I especially love the plot you created. I'm not a Mycroft fan, but you managed to make him feel very human and made me re-consider his character. Great job!

You've crafted a wonderfully rounded, beautiful glimpse into the Holmes family life that I wish didn't have to end.

Very poignant. Thanks.

I absolutely loved this! It's so well written and just awesome. I know how Sherlock felt. I've dealt with 3 family members with Alzhimer's (and one we think might be starting) and we think it's inherited. I'm afraid I will loose my mind like my grandmother did. Thanks for letting your muse create this. 8)