I Will Never Forget By Elaine Pereira

When Elaine Pereira first approached me, about 6 months ago, she requested that I write a review of her book ” I will never forget”. Elaine read a review I wrote awhile ago( I reviewed a different book) and she felt I would like her book, so she decided to send it to me.
Elaine was wrong.
I didn’t like her book.
What her book made me feel is way beyond the shallow term “like”. But let me go back a bit…

Elaine’s book came at an extremely difficult time for me personally. Without breaching the confidentiality of my parents’ health issues, I would just say…I had a really tough time reading the book. I started…and then I couldn’t read anymore. I would begin again…and halfway through I would be in tears and not able to continue. And yet, I always, always returned. I wanted to hear Elaine’s soothing voice, I wanted to laugh with her and cry with her, I wanted her by my side. I wanted to know that when the time comes, it will be OK…

 While I don’t know Elaine personally, it felt like I have known her for years. During the time I was reading the book I was constantly asking myself–how would I react to this? In my personal circumstances, I caught myself asking “What would Elaine do?” This is when I knew that Elaine’s book was not just good but great. Not only she made me laugh and cry, but she prompted me to act on situations, people and circumstances that otherwise I might have missed or dismissed.

Her book is not about dementia, love and loss. Her book is about parenthood and she portrays it beautifully.When I say parenthood, I am not addressing only Elaine’s relationship with her mom. This book is about the different generations and the parental dynamics that form through out the years– parents and the care for their children, children that become parents, grandparents with their grandchildren and finally, children who take on the responsibility for their parents, eventually taking over the role of the parent in the relationship.

The way Elaine represented the complex situations with her mother’s dementia, the impossible circumstances and the great consideration, care and love for her parents, made me rethink the way I communicate with my parents. It also made me rethink my relationship with my own children and helped me improve on my reaction to situations, people and opportunities.

Elaine’s book is not easy to read, no doubt. Despite her excellent penmanship and love for detail, this book will be one of the toughest  books I’ve ever read, and yet…it is one of the loveliest, honest and graceful tributes of a child towards the parent that I have ever seen.

 I highly recommend the book and I would love it if you post your own impressions if you decide to read Elaine’s book, in the comments section. I am just thankful to Elaine for finding me and allowing me to be a part of her world, her love, her loss and her growth. It has been an honor, a privilege and a pleasure, Mrs. Pereira!
You were right, I will never forget and I thank you for that!