Maisy Bennett

"The land holds our memories, and some paths we walk are destined long before we realize we've taken the first step."

"I have been expecting you," she said with a look of recognition. She caught me off guard—how could she be expecting me? I had just gotten her name from the County Assessor’s Office. I had never met Maisy Bennett. She was 97 years old and living in an assisted care facility in Duluth, Minnesota. She had a warm and loving smile; she must have been mistaking me for someone else.

I decided to play along and inquisitively asked why she was expecting me since we had never met. "Did the Bayfield County Assessor’s Office call you?" I inquired.

"Oh no, sweetie, I figured you would show up one day," she stated confidently. I was still very confused. The orderly stepped out into the hallway, and I followed her, asking if Maisy had dementia.