So Far Away...

It's tough to see your parents get older. Tough. I see it every day in both of mine. When my brother-in-law had to come over early last year (before dad broke his kneecap), to haul dad up off the utility room floor, I stated it thusly:

"Dad, you and mom need to be more vigilant about what you are doing; where you are, what is around you, how you are doing things. Neither of you are 40 anymore and haven't been in quite some time."

"I think I just realized that."

That is tough.

What is hard is being almost 70 years old. You don't want to see your older brothers name show up on the caller ID because:

a) he is in Kansas
b) the only time he calls is if it has to do with their mom.

Mom is in a place where she isn't sure what to do. Hospice RN gives grandma from today to three weeks from now. She just turned 95 and isn't in the best of shape. Fiesty yet, her body is just worn down & out. Mom & dad aren't briming with money, and neither are us kids. It'd be one thing if sis wasn't taking care of her grandson and I had a husband in pre-transplant phase. If things were different, I'd clean out my car and we'd marathon drive to Garden City, Kansas.

I want mom to go. She needs to be able to spend whatever precious time is left with grandma. Granted, grandma keeps calling my uncle "Johnny" (or Papa) who passed on 7 years ago, but dad got time with his mom before she passed away, mom should have that opportunity as well.

That may be my sticking point on being out of state. I want to be no more than seven hours driving in the case of my parents. I cannot fathom not being able to be Right. There. If I were rich, i would send her, first class, with accommodations paid for so she wouldn't have to worry.

Other than monitor some cigarette portioning, I have nothing more to give her than a shoulder.

Mindy, about to lose last remaining grandparent.