Talk about an unexpected and beautiful moment of clarity: In the selfie video below, Kelly Gunderson of Georgia is lying in bed with her 87-year-old mother, Daphne Tresher, who has Alzheimer’s. Kelly asks Daphne if she knows who she is—and to her joyful astonishment, Daphne responds, “Kelly.†“Yes, Mama!†she says. “Yes, I am Kelly.†The two continue laughing and chatting, eventually exchanging “I love youâ€s.
“I never know what I’m going to get when I’m talking with her,†Kelly told Today.com about the video. “I was just enjoying it. And then, when she said my name—and I have an identical twin sister—so, when she said ‘Kelly,’ it just caught me off guard.â€
The video has gone viral since Kelly posted it last Friday, attracting more than 4.3 millions views as of press time. Kelly told Today.com she thinks this is “because people relate to it.†More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, almost two-thirds of whom are women, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Women also make up more than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers.Â
Take a look at the moving video here:
Kinda just makes you want to pick up the phone and call your mom, doesn’t it?
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