The Gift

Based on a true story about DramaShare founder, John Alexander's family

This heartfelt drama portrays the journey of a family living with the reality of Alzheimer’s disease as a grandmother moves into the home of her children and grandchildren. Amid the challenges and struggles, a miraculous gift unfolds under God’s faithfulness, revealing an unexpected blessing through a bittersweet situation.

Perfect for:

• Mother’s Day
• Christmas
• Human interest outreach dramas

This drama has been used worldwide by Alzheimer Societies to promote awareness and understanding of the devastating effects of this disease, which strips away dignity and profoundly impacts both the individual and their loved ones.

The Storyline

The drama centers on a “Sandwich Family”, where a caregiver—Judith (in reality, DramaShare co-founder Judy McDonald Alexander)—takes care of both her children and an aging grandparent under one roof.

• Older children have returned home after school or after facing life's struggles.
• A grandmother, suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, is forced by necessity to move in with the family.
• The family must navigate the shifting roles and emotions that come with caregiving, loss, and love.

As this type of family situation becomes more common, many audiences will relate to the dynamics, emotions, and struggles depicted in the story.

The Miracle of "The Gift"

While the story is only slightly fictional, the most powerful moment is entirely true—
"The Gift" refers to a miraculous event that allowed Jude to see her mother one last time as the ‘old Mom’ before the disease took over completely. This wonderfully, amazingly, and thankfully did happen, reinforcing the belief that our final memory of a loved one can be the one that remains with us forever.

This is more than just a drama; it’s a message of hope, love, and faith in God’s presence even in our hardest moments.

Cast:    11

• Father - Frank Pearson
• Mother - Judith Pearson
• Grandmother Mack
• Older daughter - Helen Pearson
• 2nd Oldest daughter - Rachael Pearson
• Younger daughter - Patti
• Son - Peter Pearson
• Peter's friend - Billy
• Judith's friends -
  • Liz
  • Florence
  • Beth
• (2nd oldest daughter & all the friends were added to script to represent those who were in our life on this journey).

Bible Reference:  Acts 20:24

Set:

• Act I, (living room furnished appropriately) an adult daughter moves home after job layoff. Another older daughter moves home after college education, and no job. A son is an important part of this unfolding drama.  Parents and children try to cope with this new reality at a bad time for all, a decline in a grandmother's physical and mental health forces "Grandma Mack" to move in with them. This essentially close, loving, caring family, suffer as a "Sandwich family" causes inconvenience, division, resentment and strife. Children discuss with their friends the new reality of a grandmother who does not remember them and who is resentful and jealous. Husband and wife attempt a happy marriage and family life but are pushed and pulled by needs and priorities of children and a demanding mother.
• Act II, (hospital room),  has a bed with protective railing as focus, 2 chairs plus oxygen, I.V., and other in-room facilities as normal in hospital room. Family visit visit Grandma Mack on evening before her birthday. Entering family watch from corridor as Grandma Mack sleeps. They talk of the operation that had a leg removed, thankful her dementia will spare reality, reminisce her life prior to Alzheimer Disease.
• Act III, (living room), Dad answers phone, Grandma has slipped away in  sleep.

Lighting:        spots to zero in in Acts II & III

Sound:     wireless mics

Song:  Abide With Me, written 1820 by Henry Francis Lyte 

SFX: none

Costumes:      All are in normal leisure clothing except Act II where Grandma is in hospital gown, family dressed for church

Props:   standard living room / hospital items

Special Instructions:  Visit local hospital to assure reality. Bed could be rented from hospital services.

Time:     110

Sample of script:

Scene: Living Room

(Lights up. Peter is absentmindedly flipping through a magazine. He sighs, sets it down, stands up, walks to a bookshelf, flips through a few books, then returns to his seat on the couch, looking frustrated. Judith enters the room.)

Judith: (cheerfully) Hi Peter, what are you doing all alone? I thought Dan was coming over to study with you?

Peter: (grumbling) Dan phoned. Said he was too busy. (sarcastically) Busy? We all know why he doesn't want to come back here! I doubt if Dan will ever come back again after what (emphasizing) she did!

Judith: (sighing) I'm really sorry about what happened. Grandma Mack didn’t mean to embarrass you in front of your friends. It’s just that she… well, she wasn’t herself, that’s all.

Peter: Wasn’t herself? I don’t even know who your mother is anymore! And why did she have to move in here anyway?

Judith: We’ve talked about this, son. You know she wasn’t able to take care of herself anymore. The accidents were getting more frequent, and we were afraid she would hurt herself.

Peter: So we have to turn this house into an… an Alzheimer’s ward? Mom, there are homes for people like that. Why couldn’t we have her put in a place where they can actually help her?

Judith: (firmly) I have told you before, my mother shall not be imprisoned in any… any home! I will look after my mother, thank you very much, young man! And I will thank you never again to speak in that tone when discussing your grandmother!

(Frank enters the room, sensing the tension.)

Frank: What’s going on here? I could hear the yelling from across the street!

Judith: This young man is being impertinent, that’s what’s going on! Never in my life would I have dreamed of speaking about my elders in that tone!

Frank: (turns to Peter, concerned) Peter? That doesn’t sound like you.

Peter: (defensive) I just asked why Grandma Mack had to move in with us. I just said—

Judith: (interrupting, fuming) He just suggested that his grandmother be institutionalized! That’s what!

Peter: Well, I mean—why shouldn’t she be where people can help her? I can’t even have a friend over without her barging into my room, acting like a fool!

Judith: Frank, I refuse to deal with him. I am leaving and I expect you to deal with your son! I refuse to listen to this any longer!
|
Judith storms off stage.

Frank: Want to talk to me about it, son?

Peter: (frustrated) Talk? What’s the use of talking? Dad, you know that Grandma Mack has wrecked our family since she moved in here.

Frank: I realize it hasn’t been easy since our family… expanded.

Peter: (laughs bitterly) Expanded? Ballooned is more like it! First Helen loses her job and moves back home, then Rachael finishes college and moves back home until she finds a job, and now Grandma Mack moves in for the good of her health. And neither of my sisters seem in a hurry to leave. Meanwhile, most of the time Grandma Mack doesn’t even know who I am!

Frank: (softly) I know. It’s been hard on all of us… especially your mom. She’s in the middle—she’s the meat in the sandwich.

Peter: (raising an eyebrow) Meat? What sandwich? Oh boy, now you’re starting to sound like Grandma Mack!

(Frank chuckles lightly, shaking his head.)

Frank: Sorry, son. What I mean is, your mom and I are part of what they call the sandwich generation—people in middle age who are caring for both their kids and their aging parents at the same time, and all under the same roof. It’s tough. Especially for your mom.

Peter: (grumbling) You keep saying that, but there are homes set up for people with Alzheimer’s. And we all know that’s what’s wrong with Grandma Mack… we just don’t seem to want to admit it—especially Mom.

Frank: Peter, the truth is, we don’t know for certain whether your grandmother has Alzheimer’s or not. But there’s no doubt she’s struggling. She’s losing her memory, and yes, she’s showing some aggressive behavior. But think about your mom.

(Peter looks away.)

Frank: Even when Grandma Mack is loud, or confused, or says things that hurt, at the end of the day—she’s still your mom’s mother. That’s what makes it so tough. You can accept bad behavior from other people, maybe even laugh about it. But when it’s your own parent, it brings out a lot of… denial. And regret. And hurt.

(Peter swallows hard, nodding slowly.)

Peter: I’m trying to understand, Dad. Honest, I am. But when Grandma Mack did that… thing in my room yesterday, right in front of my friends… what am I supposed to do, Dad?

Frank: I don’t know, son. (pauses) Try to love her, I guess. And I know… that’s not easy.

(A long silence. Then, suddenly—Grandma Mack enters the room, agitated.)

---

Grandma Mack: It’s hot in here! Doesn’t anybody think about turning down the thermostat once in a while? Kids, that’s who does it! Cheeky kids—don’t know what this world is coming to! (She looks at Peter.) Who are you?

Frank: Grandma Mack, you know Peter—your grandson.

Grandma Mack: Peter? Grandson? I have no grandson named Peter! Whose kid is that? Mike and Gloria’s?

Frank: No, Grandma Mack, Mike and Gloria don’t have children. Peter is my son—mine and Jude’s son.

Grandma Mack: Jude? Where on earth is Jude, anyway? I wanted her to read to me. Can’t see to read—you keep this place so dark! (calls out) Judith! I need you here!

Frank: (gently) Jude is resting, Grandma. Let’s let her sleep.

Grandma Mack: Sleeping? In the middle of the day? Well, I never! I worked my whole life—looking after Judith, running the store—never once did I need to sleep during the day!

Frank: Well… Jude had a long night, sitting up with you.

Grandma Mack: Sitting up with me? I’ll have you know I was alone all night! Called for somebody to bring me a cup of water—shoulda known it—nobody came!

(Peter stands up abruptly.)

Peter: I’m going to my room.

Grandma Mack: What did he say?

Frank: Nothing, Grandma Mack. Nothing.

Grandma Mack: No respect from kids nowadays! Just leave the room—never a thought of speaking to their elders! I am so fed up with the way I’m treated around here! Why, people treat their dogs better than I get treated! That’s it—I’m packing up right now! I’m leaving!

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script— and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.