As a single lady post 50 I have been happy with my life and the decisions made and paths taken. However my mum was always there. We had a complex relationship, who doesn't, but she was my only source of unconditional love. I knew I would be devastated when I lost her but never in my wildest dreams imagined the slow acid erosion of dementia. It my birthday next week. Every year I would take the day off work with the intention of having a lie in, every year my mum would forget and wake me up at 7.00am with a happy birthday phone call. She won't this year and I would truly give anything to hear that phone call. Still, hoping I get to spend some of the day with her.