tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129501435638030796.post2930257926055615411..comments2023-10-18T03:38:42.417-06:00Comments on Confessions and Contemplations: ... and I'm Slowly DrowningMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12743644644608446685noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129501435638030796.post-67593710457933075412009-05-20T21:13:22.307-06:002009-05-20T21:13:22.307-06:00My dad turned 81 last month. He's really in pretty...My dad turned 81 last month. He's really in pretty good health, despite the few health incidents we had eariler in the year. He has asthma and diabetes, which are pretty hard to live with sometimes but he manages. He worries too much for someone his age and he's starting to slow down. 4 years ago, going on 5, he got sick and that's when he finally realized there were things he couldn't do. Since then, he has pretty much slowed down to where he sticks around the house and doesn't do the things in the yard or around the house that he used to do. He's bored. But yes, I worry, as it's just me. Thank God my mom is in good heath. She's the same age. They were older parents. <br /><br />My friend with siblings say that it's usually just one of the siblings like your wife and my friend who end up doing the care giving in families. I accept that i have a heavy load to deal with in the near future. I don't like it much, but my parents also have means that I can get some paid home health care if I need it. Yet, the hard still will be mine.<br /><br />My cousin moved to Arizona. Believe it or not we're second cousins but we've been mistaken for sisters before. She and I lead very different lives, but we're still very close and fond of each other. <br /><br />Her mom is a character. :-) <br /><br />Fortunately, I have some in-town cousins who are really a great support system and have of course offered to help me in anything I need. So, I'm grateful that I have people to lean on, if I need them.Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12743644644608446685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129501435638030796.post-44289746018816819962009-05-20T12:32:01.596-06:002009-05-20T12:32:01.596-06:00My father-in-law is 88 and my wife, who was the ol...My father-in-law is 88 and my wife, who was the oldest child in her family, has no sister, only brothers. Her mother is gone too, so a lot falls on her. She goes through a lot of what you are going through. Since her mother is gone, not only does she have to baby her father, but even her own brothers to some extent.<br /><br />Your cousin could certainly pass for your sister. Could you reconnect? Is she still around?Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754406706300818849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129501435638030796.post-42524501456040275052009-05-19T21:10:26.385-06:002009-05-19T21:10:26.385-06:00Thanks for saying what you said. You are exactly r...Thanks for saying what you said. You are exactly right. I think deep down inside both Dad and I realize this and it's really hard. I wish my cousin was my sister. We were really close growing up. I think having a sibling would be incredibly helpful these days, but then that doesn't guarantee any thing dealing with the parents will be easier. <br /><br />I am trying hard to learn to be patient, it's not easy. <br /><br />NM rainstorms are incredibly beautiful. Growing up it seemed to rain all the time, now, it's almost a miracle when we get a good steady summer rain. I'm pretty sure my dad took that picture with his old Rolleiflex camera.Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12743644644608446685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129501435638030796.post-89867794749187152392009-05-19T19:28:13.172-06:002009-05-19T19:28:13.172-06:00What an adorable photo of you and your cousin! Bea...What an adorable photo of you and your cousin! Beautiful. What a shot. The rainbow, the lighting, the southwest blouses. The smiles.<br /><br />I'm sure it can be tough, but maybe you want to be patient with dad. He's had a bad scare. Maybe he's frightened, lonely, feeling his mortality acutely right now. Maybe he wants to spend all the time with you that he can in light of that.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754406706300818849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129501435638030796.post-82008963150520755432009-05-19T19:26:11.386-06:002009-05-19T19:26:11.386-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754406706300818849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129501435638030796.post-51435919195798979932009-05-19T19:24:45.588-06:002009-05-19T19:24:45.588-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754406706300818849noreply@blogger.com