tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post4896678160204735496..comments2024-03-26T16:55:50.686-06:00Comments on Barb's Blog . . . Where the Best Journey, Always Brings You Home: Dealing with an aging parent . . .Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15158897469583069249noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-73282246609083519282012-05-04T10:38:26.995-06:002012-05-04T10:38:26.995-06:00Barb, it is so difficult to deal with an unhappy e...Barb, it is so difficult to deal with an unhappy elderly family member. May God grant you extra patience. I absolutely LOVE that poem!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-36896055975708650982012-05-03T13:56:57.996-06:002012-05-03T13:56:57.996-06:00This made me cry! Grandma is such a wonderful woma...This made me cry! Grandma is such a wonderful woman and hs accomplished so many good things in her life. I can't imagine how hard it is to get to the point where you don't feel or act like yourself. You and Karen are the BEST daughters!!!! Growing old is much eaier when you know you are loved and cared about!!The WIlloughby Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02078739665693120395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-7279125711687629462012-05-03T06:52:31.014-06:002012-05-03T06:52:31.014-06:00Hi Barb,
Your mother and mine were cut from the sa...Hi Barb,<br />Your mother and mine were cut from the same cloth. Reading this entry brings back so many memories for me. Some good and some not so good.<br /><br />God bless you and your Mom as you travel this road in the aging process. Your Mom is lucky to have 2 loving daughters and together you will support each other.<br /><br />Love the poem. So insightful. Hope it's ok if I copy it. Hugz!!Margehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02906755539162143086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-18925560238151481142012-05-02T07:56:03.743-06:002012-05-02T07:56:03.743-06:00Thank you for your insights on this subject. I am...Thank you for your insights on this subject. I am somewhere in the realm of similar experience with you. You have a sweet gentleness in your perspective that is good for me to read. Thank you!Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02389829595981028640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-9034739897912533432012-05-02T05:49:35.747-06:002012-05-02T05:49:35.747-06:00It so happens that today I am opening an old print...It so happens that today I am opening an old print to use the frame for a sketch done of my children when they were small. I think, if you don't mind my borrowing this, that I'll enclose this poem inside. It touches me deeply.<br /><br />And your words about your mother are so insightful. Old age is not for sissies nor is life itself for that matter. We are told to be of good courage because He has overcome the world. Comforting words. She is very blessed to have loving daughters and you are blessed to have a mom who adores you. Rich blessings to you all...Veehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00618654361869856894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-24778380189972827542012-05-02T03:58:29.974-06:002012-05-02T03:58:29.974-06:00Missing word: Brother :)Missing word: Brother :)RoeHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00131723337404316867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-49371858532898296592012-05-02T03:56:50.664-06:002012-05-02T03:56:50.664-06:00Very hard. I have a next door neighbor in her 80&...Very hard. I have a next door neighbor in her 80's that has chosen to be lonely. Granted, she's not easy to get along with. Her own children have rejected her and that's sad. So she just stays in her house. She won't go to a church, any church, and won't socilize and mostly just complains about everything in her life. <br /><br />I am terrified that I will end up like that. For that reason I have chosen to be more active. I recently joined DUP because it gives me one more place to be involved and go to. I go to a gym every day but Sunday. I try to keep doing "something". I have a that is like that. All he does is sit in the house and hate everybody and 'bitch'. To put it mildly.<br /><br />I made a decision since I last saw him. I have pledged to myself every morning to enjoy the coming day more and spend it being happier than he is or ever will be. <br /><br />I didn't have to take care of my dad as there was a wonderful neighbor who stepped in and took on that job. I could never have done what she did. But I sure went through all the emotions of having an aging parent with diapers and I certainly had to endure all of the trouble it caused around him with siblings. My two brothers (IF and Boise) wouldn't lift a finger to help or even visit him in Twin and I sit here a thousand miles away and at made a trip at LEAST once a year to see drive up and see him.<br /><br />So hard.<br /><br />Families! Sometimes I'd like to chop up that sign that says Families Are Forever. :)RoeHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00131723337404316867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-72185227853529147872012-05-02T01:07:35.955-06:002012-05-02T01:07:35.955-06:00Hi Barb, this is such a touching post. I understa...Hi Barb, this is such a touching post. I understand what you are facing with an aging parent. My own mother died before she was 60, but my dad lived to be 91. I'm so sorry that your mother is having a difficult time now. Just visit her as often as you can and tell her how much she is loved.<br /><br />I think all mothers think that they could have done certain things better and maybe have a few regrets. I would reassure your mother that you have a happy life. Let her know that she did the best she could and that everything turned out fine. Maybe parents talk the way they do when they are growing older because they are seeking reassurance that they were good parents and are loved.<br /><br />I love the poem and am going to copy it to Notepad to share with my own children some day. Thanks for sharing! <br /><br />Hugs and love,<br />CherylCheryl @ TFDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15947085477739983984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-80105064616991301642012-05-01T21:41:46.430-06:002012-05-01T21:41:46.430-06:00Oh Barb, this made me cry, for all of us moms unde...Oh Barb, this made me cry, for all of us moms understand this poem only too well. If you're like me, you didn't understand your mom until you had children of your own. You cannot fathom the love of a mother and how she wants to be perfect for her children. And no matter how hard she tries, she'll always feel like she wasn't good enough. I'm glad that your mom has you and your sister to care for her now. It's hard as I watch my parents aging, too, and know that someday probably soon, that they, too, will begin to fade away. It's sad, but it's part of life and we can't keep them forever. Just like we can't keep our kids little forever. Sweet, sweet poem. Spend as much time with your mom as you can. That's what I'm trying to do with my mom and dad. Thanks for sharing this...God bless you and your family.Vickiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07741431727993692456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-41691012802921334362012-05-01T18:34:57.922-06:002012-05-01T18:34:57.922-06:00Dear Barb, I am so touched by your thoughts tonigh...Dear Barb, I am so touched by your thoughts tonight, and will place your mom on my prayer list. I am so blessed and thankful that my mom is having great health, but relate to what you have spoken about as my dh's mother went through the same feelings and we felt so helpless in knowing how to help her. She was such a dear lady, but often spoke of the past and would have wished to have changed things too. I am so glad that you and your sister have each other for support, and that you both continue to have precious times with your mom. <br />Sending much love,<br />SueSuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14843762646877115013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-43443384621786623462012-05-01T18:32:51.431-06:002012-05-01T18:32:51.431-06:00Oh my gosh, I am going to have a headache from tea...Oh my gosh, I am going to have a headache from tears again. This was so heartfelt and sweet. I loved the poem and I know you probably feel like I do that I would have like to have done some things different. My mom felt the very same way. <br />It was a very hard thing to watch my parents age. My mother was still asking me to buy her some make-up 3 weeks before she passed. She wasn't even able to go out of the house. Just enjoy the moments! Love to you!!LeAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18107717294803352571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-76774778551383353772012-05-01T17:34:15.896-06:002012-05-01T17:34:15.896-06:00It's difficult to see your mom aging, but my m...It's difficult to see your mom aging, but my mom died in her mid 70's and it just felt like she was being taken away too soon. I'm sorry to hear she is having a difficult time. I pray for peace for her and for you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04994473436725815322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-22425062167790689182012-05-01T17:23:17.768-06:002012-05-01T17:23:17.768-06:00What a beautiful poem! I understand perfectly, be...What a beautiful poem! I understand perfectly, being a mom myself, those precious children will always be my little ones no matter how old they are. <br /><br />My mom is turning 75 this month. I think I have more trouble with her aging than she does. She seems to enjoy the "perks" of being a senior citizen, but it's hard for me to see her as a little old lady when my memories of her are of a young beautiful woman. Then again, I look at my youngest son, now 12 years old and almost my height, and I wonder how it's possible that just a decade ago he was a toddler and now he's a preteen! King Solomon was right when he said, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Eccl. 3:1). If we live each season for the Lord and for others, we will honor Him and all of those around us.<br /><br />God bless!Arlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03151138474298404664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480650597030131765.post-22285686638789436812012-05-01T16:10:36.955-06:002012-05-01T16:10:36.955-06:00Bless you Barb...I do know all too well about this...Bless you Barb...I do know all too well about this aging parent phase of life...It is difficult to see their life changing, especially when it comes to their mind and the things that they no longer can remember...<br />Even though it might be difficult for us, I think about how they must feel...no longer able to do things that they have done all their life. And, not to remember those that they have loved for a lifetime...<br />We just have to give it to the Lord and wait for Him to help us through...<br />Hugs Barb..<br />shugShughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12287830519297050445noreply@blogger.com