Monkey in the Room

When memory begins to fade, love is often the only thing that remains, and sometimes, it must carry the weight for two.

This deeply personal and moving book tells the story of Rosa, of her vibrant, remarkable life, of the love she shared with her husband Paul, and of the profound journey they undertook together when dementia entered their world. At the heart of their story is “the monkey”, (A metaphor for Rosa’s Dementia) an unwelcome, ever-present companion that slowly begins to interrupt, unsettle, and reshape the life they once knew.

The book does not shy away from the realities of this journey: the heartbreak of watching the person you love change, the exhaustion of constant care, and the deeply complex grief of losing someone piece by piece while they are still physically present. And yet, within this struggle, moments of light endure. A smile that breaks through the confusion. A shared song that the monkey cannot take away. The simple comfort of holding Rosa’s hand.

The final part of the book turns inward, exploring the emotional aftermath of caregiving. It speaks honestly about oncoming grief, identity, and the process of rebuilding a life shaped by both love and loss. It offers hope that healing, though never complete, is possible and that it is allowed to move forward while still holding Rosa close in memory.