"Memory performs the impossible for man by the strength of his divine arms; holds together past and present, beholding both, existing in both, abides in the flowing,and gives continuity and dignity to human life. It holds us to our family, to our friends. Hereby a home is possible; hereby only a new fact has value."
This was written by Emerson who spent the last twelve years of his life with Alzheimer's disease. He could form no new memories at all.
At the funeral for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, he is reported to have said of his friend of fifty years," The gentleman who lies here was a beautiful soul, but I have forgotten his name.
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