Q. My husband, my kids, and I visited my mother this year for the holidays. Mom was diagnosed with dementia last year, so I took some of Magic the bunny’s advice from Critter Corner on how best to celebrate the holiday with her. We gave her space during the festivities, and for the most part, she was doing okay, although her behavior was sometimes erratic. On Christmas day, she spent most of the day sitting quietly in her bedroom and barely said a word. When I brought her lunch, she looked at me like I was a stranger. The next morning, she greeted me cheerfully and called me by name. Later that day, she was working on a NY Times crossword puzzle. I know it may sound like a miracle, or like I’m off my rocker, but I’m wondering. . . could it be that she’s getting better instead of worse?