Welcome to this month's theme on Branches of Life:
DEALING WITH AN OLDER PARENT
We welcome you to leave your own comments and let us know some of the hardships, methods of dealing with an older parent, you have had to endure.
I've been blessed to have parents who age gracefully, never complaining about aches and pains, actually they laugh it off. However, dad has been diagnosed with cancer and has been given only three months to live, which brings us to June 2007. This in itself is very traumatizing to a child, regardless of the age. It's human nature, yes, to live and die, but we're never mentally prepared to let go of our parents whom we love so much.
He is my best friend and writing motivator. The hardest part is living so far away from them. They live in Greece and I'm in Canada. My sister is living there and has had to take the full force of seeing him deteriorate before her eyes.
To see a man who has always been a strong person, a caring person, succumb to cancer is nothing I would wish on anyone.
Yet, he manages, according to my sister, to continue with his humor at times when not in pain.
I attribute this characteristic to my mother and to their loving relationship they've had for over 50 years. It takes two to tango and make a go out of a marriage, and my parents have had a marriage I envy. There hasn't been a day that has passed that these two lovebirds don't act like honeymooners.
The mental anguish, however, knowing time is approaching when dad will not be here is very, very hard on me. I'm only hoping to arrive in Greece in time and see him one last time, feel his warmth radiate within me with his smile, and tell him something he already knows, "I love you, dad."
Lea Schizas
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3 comments:
I'm so sorry Lea. It is hard to look ahead to the time when our parents won't be there for us. My regards to you and your family during this time.
Hugs on the tough time, Lea. I was home for my dad's 80th in February and it shook me to see both my parents looking so frail. It is hard to lose parents. I don't care how old you think you are!
I have a friend who is losing her father in a particularly difficult way, too...to dementia. It's been a real struggle for her and her family. Life is a tough gig, no matter where you are in it.
But still worth it, IMHO. :-)
Perilously yours,
Pauline
Lea,
I know just what you are saying. Cancer stole my dad from me 12 years ago. He was only 67. I too watched him waste away in seven months. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through. I can tell you that they are never really gone. He' still with me in my dreams. Still giving
me his opinions. It's not the same, but I'll take it!
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