When Forgetfulness Blooms

by Jaudat Khalaily

Based on a True Story- A Tender Journey Through Memory and Love
When Forgetfulness Blooms is inspired by the real-life story of an alderly woman from Jerusalem who faces Alzheimer's with quiet strength. After moving into a nursing home, she unexpectedly rediscovers joy, connection, and love. This heartfelt novel invites you into a world where even fading memories can give birth to something beautifully new.

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2025

Reviews

[Kathie Kuehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I have mixed feelings about this book. For the most part, it is beautifully written in an almost poetic / lyrical style. However, the book needed tighter editing as many phrases, although beautiful when read the first time, were repeated so often it became tiresome and detracted from what could have been a much shorter and less wordy book. This story is based on the true story of an elderly woman named Asia who has lived in Jerusalem her entire life. She is widowed and has 2 adult children: her son, Sami who is a doctor in Berlin and her daughter, Maria, who lives in Nazareth. They are very close and are very devoted to their mother. The book follows Asia’s Alzheimer’s journey. It begins slowly with forgetfulness, lack of interest in keeping up her home and garden, disheveled appearances etc. Eventually her children had to move her into a care center. There she met a kind gentlemen resident who also suffered from dementia, although not as advanced as Asia’s. They develop a beautiful relationship with provides both with happiness and companionship until Asia’s passing. As I said, it is a beautiful story but too long and repetitive. That was disappointing for me.