Grandma Alice & Grandaughter
We have a reason to see people we don’t get to see so often.
It’s a good time to reflect and appreciate every person who can join us at these parties and family get togethers. We can find something in every one of them that is positive.
And the best reason to treasure them it is that you never know when it will be the last one with the people who join you this time around.
I was reminded of this at a birthday celebration I had this year. I gathered some friends and family, had a great little party and so much fun. We laughed and talked and enjoyed excellent food and wine. It was beautiful.
Our dear friend, Bruce, shared that evening with us. He was a founding partner at AgingParents.com and so talented and helpful. Shortly after this event, he died suddenly of a heart attack.
Gone in a moment. I was so grateful that we had the party and so glad he came and enjoyed his time with everyone. I didn’t think or know that it would be the last time I would ever see him. It never occurred to me that a person my age would be gone so suddenly. Yes, we’re aging, and we’re boomers, but I didn’t think of him as “old”. He was my age.
Gone in a moment. I was so grateful that we had the party and so glad he came and enjoyed his time with everyone. I didn’t think or know that it would be the last time I would ever see him. It never occurred to me that a person my age would be gone so suddenly. Yes, we’re aging, and we’re boomers, but I didn’t think of him as “old”. He was my age.
I was glad that I had made Bruce feel welcome and that I told him I was happy to share the evening with him. Likewise, he said he was go glad he could be there. Looking back, I had a sense of peace in knowing that he truly enjoyed the celebration.
We never know who will be with us the next time around. As our aging parents get up there in years, we are more aware than ever that we need to treasure these events.
Alice, Mikol’s 91 year old mom, often jokes that she doesn’t even buy green bananas anymore. She is saying she never knows, at her age, when her time will be up. She accepts that every day is a gift.
And we learn to follow her lead. Besides looking at what Alice calls “being on borrowed time” for our aging parents, we also need to consider risks like dementia, strokes, memory loss and other things that can dramatically change them as they age. Whether it is family or friends, we need to be grateful for our chance to be with them. And just be in the moment, not looking back at any past hurts or problems, only looking at right now.
So, it may be a way to acknowledge that every family gathering, especially with aging parents is a gift if we imagine that there is only the one, only this moment.
We will never need to look back with regret if we are extra patient with an aging parent, extra tolerant of the difficult ones, extra kind to anyone struggling, and putting out our best efforts to thank everyone for being there with us.
We wish you a thoughtful season and peace. May your next time with those you love be bright.
Until next time,
Carolyn Rosenblatt and Mikol Davis,
AgingParents.com
Carolyn Rosenblatt and Mikol Davis,
AgingParents.com
I do not see my family on the holiday day. I began that when I (as a nurse) started working during the holiday. I have three times a year I take a week off to visit family. I connect by phone and mail and prayer the rest of the year. My mother’s health has been impaired enough that more than one group of family members at a time can be taxing so we try our best to share time all year around her medical needs. Although, every phone call, card, letter, and visit is very special.