But I joke that he’s the most gender-affirming father I could have ever wished for. Perhaps the ability to forget assigned gender is one positive lesson we can learn from the havoc Alzheimer’s otherwise wreaks on people’s brains and families. Not long ago, my father introduced me to one of his caregivers like this: “This is my cousin, my nephew, my niece, my — everything.” He wasn’t sure anymore how we were related. The shock of death still comes even when you’ve been preparing for it. Weeks ago, on July 6, my father was transferred to palliative care, where he died three days later.

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Persons: “ Rachel ”, Noah, ”, you’ve