A quiet moment.
Just to be.
Myself and my thoughts.
Reflective.
Side swiped by reality.
Tingled with sadness.
The final chapter, Mum and Dad.
Quality over quantity
When we age.
There is nothing surer in life
Than change.
Dealing with it.
Remembering that time
never stops.
Tick tock
Making the most of each sunny day.
Life at No. 22 
I’m sorry you’re going though this Suzanne. It is tough, with hard decisions to be made, sadness for the loved one you remember and guilt that you aren’t doing enough. We’ve been there with Ross’ mum for the last year or so and its heart breaking. I feel for you. Being in care is something we all dread, but for some its the best choice and is where they will get the best care. Be kind to yourself Suz. You’re doing the best you can. xx
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Sorry to hear you and Ross have had the same issue. It’s harder when one has a sharp mind with an ailing body.
All of my siblings and myself have worked well as a team to do the best for our parents. It’s just another challenging life event. Builds resilience so “they” say 🙂 You take care too Wendy xx
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A touching post.
We lost my Grandad last September and had a call this morning to say Nan isn’t well. They both made it to their 90s, but there’s never enough time, is there?
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Very true there’s never enough time even when you think you’ve said it all. Especially when you lose your partner/best friend.
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Sending you big hugs. x Mel
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Cheers, Mel x
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A really tough time but at least you’re lucky enough to have both parents around.
Enjoy every moment!
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It is settling down now and both are now in a caring and safe environment. Not sure luck has anything to do with it, just the way that life pans out. Getting to a grand old age is certainly not granted to everyone.
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Very true, especially these days in our current world.
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My heart goes out to the countries hit by that dreaded virus. Life has certainly changed hugely for so many. Hope you’re both ok.
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What’s happening around the world is tragic and hoping that this year settles the virus – fingers crossed.
Both going well and hope you guys are OK.
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Precious, precious photos Suzanne. Your family is lovely. Thinking of you all during these tough times. Your parents are lucky to have wonderful kids 🙂
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Thanks very much, Pam. Us siblings have worked in together as a team. We’ve all had an input in trying to do the best plus having guidance from them about what they want which is so important. Though no one wants to lose their independence sometimes the choice is taken away.
Pam, you’re right photographs are precious and if it wasn’t for Dad and Nana (Mum’s mother) we wouldn’t have so many.
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Thanks for this real and yet, not wonderful update..which is happening for my Dad maybe soon …my Mum and my husband’s parents have all died. Care, when we can no longer care for ourselves is such a ….no words, really. I hope things go as well as they can. Yes, we Baby Boomers will not like this much at all. Keeping it real Suzanne, thank you. Denyse
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Apologies for the delay in replying Denyse, unfortunately, your comment went into the spam folder. I’m hoping your Dad has a smooth journey into his next home. It is a grieving process when losing your independence and relying on people to care for you. Yes, we baby boomers will be hoping that we can access quality aged care facilities with qualified workers paid a decent wage. Another issue is that many of our generations aren’t planning or saving for a comfortable retirement for various reasons. How much planning can be done as who knows how our lives will pan out? Thanks for commenting, Denyse.
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Thanks so much Suzanne, Dad hopes he can stay where he is but his future health will determine that. Denyse
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After reading your post, I didn’t quite know or understand what was going on with your parents, but the comments brought clarity. Touch times, Suzanne. But it is so nice that you are living close by. We constantly worry about Mark’s aging parents on the east coast of the US, who still live on their own at 90 and 85. And, if ever something happens to my parents, I guess we will have to abandon our lifestyle and move to Belgium somehow. If only time could stand still once in a while – during the good moments, of course. 🙂
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Liesbet, I hope both sets of parents keep in good health until the world is a healthier place. Life wass challenging enough for many without a virus playing havoc with our lives. Here’s too many more good times here and the rest of the world. Take care, Liesbet.
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Thinking of you and your parents – a touching post indeed, about what comes to us all. At least you will be able to visit easily?
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Thanks very much, Leya. Yes, I will be able to visit frequently and other family members will when they are able.
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♥
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I understand the responsibility you feel and empathise. My mum is 94 and I have to make decisions for her every day. It’s difficult, especially in current times.
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Yes, I knew you would understand Anabel. I hope the journey with your Mum isn’t too hard as time goes by. When the elderly can no longer look after themselves and lose their independence is hard on the person and those that care for them. It’s going to be a challenging society when all of us babyboomers reach this stage if we are lucky or unlucky depending on how you view it. For those of us with no children, there is the need to put more thought into it before the options disappear. Yes, I think of you all over there dealing with lockdown and life in general. Not an easy time, which is an understatement! Take care.
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Thanks Suzanne. The hardest thing with my mum is that she will never admit there’s anything wrong and accept suitable help! So I have to be a bit cunning which feels like a betrayal sometimes. John and I have talked about what we will do and intend to be more flexible, but who knows what the effects of ageing will be.
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Not easy is it! I think flexibility is important in all aspects of our lives. It certainly makes life easier to deal with when facing the “bumpy” bits.
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Always a difficult decision to make when it comes to our parents and their life choices. I hope that the care they receive is what they need and they are together. It is good that you are close at hand.
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It’s a lovely Carehome and they’re together. Will take each day as it comes. With such an aging society with us baby boomers I wonder how on earth the Government/health system can afford to keep us!
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Residential / Nursing Homes here are very expensive and the council run ones are not always up to standard, if you can find a place. It’s a huge problem if you reach the stage where you can’t look after yourself. I just hope we can keep as healthy and mobile as long as we have to!
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OMG, the waiting lists and trying to find a “good” place is horrendous and stressful. We found a lovely place. Very expensive and as far as I know we don’t have council run ones. Most people are barely making ends meet let alone save more for retirement. Our Government tries to keep people in their homes as long as possible with SupportNet who supply home help.
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I know, it’s such a difficult situation. Even getting decent home helps here is a challenge.
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Same in New Zealand, some days they wouldn’t turn up or would be late. Unfortunately as a society we don’t value tbem enough. Their wages aren’t high. We have to applaud all our hospital/home health workers they are a blessing.
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That’s very true. Care workers need proper training and qualifications to do their job well and should be rewarded properly. Instead it’s a low paid job with little training. We were too far away to keep an eye on the ones my mother-in-law had and they took advantage of that.
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Oh that’s terrible and I do believe in karma. How people can mistreat vulnerable people and animals is beyond comprehension.
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So pertinant.. but at least you still have them around.. Enjoy every moment.. 😉
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Thanks Lisa and we will enjoy spending quantity time. There is a couple of reserves by the harbour to have a coffee and chat 🙂
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Your words really hit the spot Suz and I feel for you. Sending hugs across the ditch to you xx
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Jeepers I didn’t realise I hadn’t replied, crazy week! Thanks, Deb, for your hugs sending one back xx
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You’re certainly right about life with an aged parent being about change. It’s a shame that they’re so rarely changes for the better.
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Yes, you’re so right April and sorry for the delay in replying as I thought I had done!!
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That’s WordPress for you 🙂
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I can feel the sadness pouring out of this, Suzanne. Sending hugs!
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Thanks Jo and there is sadness though relief in knowing that once Mum moves in soon they will be cared 24hrs. I live a short distance to visit and help when needed with help from family. Making the best of life as much as we can. Sending you a hug too as we all have issues/situations to tackle.
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That’s good to know, Suzanne 🤗💕💕
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💖
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