Mom, Dad and me, Crown Point, Indiana. October, 1943.
This is my post for the My World meme. It is hosted by Klaus, Ivar, Sandy, Wren, and Fishing Guy. To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.
As you may know, Betsy and I have spent the last couple of years helping my parents at their home in Hendersonville. Dad is 98, Mom is 90 and they are both legally blind.
They are also very stubborn and have insisted that they can get along just fine at home by themselves. After much pleading they finally agreed to let Meals on Wheels bring them meals, and a caregiver visit them three times a week. Although this was an improvement, it still left them alone much too often as far as my sister, Betsy and I were concerned. Both Mom and Dad have fallen and have needed help getting up.
My sister Janet has been trying for several years to get Mom and Dad to move to Tullahoma and live with her. She has a little area in her home fixed up for them. Her husband has to have a full-time sitter, who can also keep an eye on the folks.
Mom and Dad have resisted moving, but after many discussions with us, their doctor, and members of their church, they have agreed to try living down there. Janet took them home with her this past Friday, and if things go well, we’ll move some of their furniture down next week.
I know that encouraging them to move to Janet’s home was the right thing to do, but doing it wasn’t easy and didn’t make me feel especially happy. Please keep these two wonderful people (and the rest of us) in your prayers.
The picture above was taken in 1943. I had much more hair back then!
Tags: American Life, Family
Senior Moments 
February 8, 2011 at 4:04 am |
I continue to lift you all up in prayer, George. From experience, I know how difficult these changes are for everyone.
Thank you for sharing such a precious photo today. May God bless you all.
February 8, 2011 at 6:43 am |
Oh George,this is the right way to go.Your parents deserve to have the best possible treatment and this sounds like a great arrangement.I do pray that they will see it this way and enjoy the pampering.
Ruth
February 8, 2011 at 6:54 am |
I can understand how you feel. But surely it is the safest place for them to be even though not what they really want to do. They have lived a long life together. You must be proud of them. Good luck to all your family at this difficult time.
February 8, 2011 at 7:03 am |
You did what was right George. Doing the right thing is not always doing the easy thing.
February 8, 2011 at 8:49 am |
What a tough decision for all of you! May God continue to give you strength as you support and encourage one another in caring for your parents. Long distance caring is tough. Wishing Janet real joy and love as she is the primary on site caregiver! It’s the right thing to do and God will bless you all for honoring, respecting and looking after your dear folks. What a lovely young family photo!
February 8, 2011 at 9:02 am |
it will be hard for them, i will pray they like it and will feel comfortable there since we know it is needed.
February 8, 2011 at 9:21 am |
I am sure there was a lot of emotions flying around during this….but hopefully things will straighten out and be fine.
February 8, 2011 at 10:29 am |
Beautiful family portrait. Your parents are very brave event at that age.
February 8, 2011 at 10:48 am |
I imagine convincing them was not easy to do…for them to give up their independence would be difficult.
BUT, won’t you sleep better at night? Your parents do amaze me George. I HOPE they can settle with your sister nicely and enjoy life in their new digs.
February 8, 2011 at 10:51 am |
My thoughts are with you, Betsy and your family and I know these are not easy times. Decisions like this is never easy! I do hope it works out well for all of you. They have lived such long and wonderful lives and they are indeed brave!
Sylvia
February 8, 2011 at 10:53 am |
I think you did the best, hopefully they will come to realize that. Falling happens so much with the elderly too. My Mother has fallen a few times but can get up herself—so far. Talk about stubborn–she has her house for sale and says she wants to move closer to me but has the selling price so high nobody will even look at it. And so far she won’t budge.
So I am happy for you and for your parents and your sister too. Soon they will ask themselves why they didn’t do this sooner and it will have been their idea. LOL
MB
February 8, 2011 at 12:04 pm |
Oh George! I know how hard it must be for all of you but I am soo glad they made the decision to give it a go! I have been praying and will continue for all of you! Praying the Peace that passes all understanding will blanket both of your parents so they will know this is best! Sending love and prayers to all of you!
February 8, 2011 at 1:41 pm |
What a sweet picture of you with your folks!
I will keep them in my prayers—we know what a difficult situation you are in since we are living it too. Hang in there.
February 8, 2011 at 2:16 pm |
It is difficult to admit that you need more help, but this sounds like a good decision that I hope works out well.
February 8, 2011 at 3:30 pm |
Oh, Meals on Wheels. I am very familiar with them. I took meals to people for 15 years. 🙂
February 8, 2011 at 3:31 pm |
What a beautiful couple your parents are. They have reached a very respectable age, and it’s great that they can live with your sister. Much better than in a home for elderly people, which happens more often than not. I wish you and Betsy and your sister and brother-in-law a happy time with your parents. BTW you were an adorable baby!!
February 8, 2011 at 3:36 pm |
This is wonderful news, George, what a worry off your mind. It is what I have been praying for. When I saw your picture, I was hoping it would be this news!
February 8, 2011 at 3:52 pm |
It is very difficult for one to give up their independence. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
February 8, 2011 at 4:12 pm |
I love seeing this junior moment of you senior hiker 🙂
I have my elderly mom living with me.
You are meant to reach century mark 🙂
Will keep you and your folks in our prayers.
I’m back from my short blog break.
February 8, 2011 at 11:37 pm |
I am so glad they are going. I will keep them in my prayers as well as you and Betsy and the rest of your family.
What a lovely vintage family photo!
February 9, 2011 at 12:51 am |
That’s a very lovely family photo and it is still very well kept after so many years. A family is a person’s greatest treasure. It is a blessing to have your parents still by your side and to live till an old age. I’m glad that both your parents had agreed to come down and live with you. But change in environment is not always easy especially for the elderly. I wish you the best and happy times with family members and close friends. We are celebrating Chinese New Year here. It is the year of the rabbit according to the lunar calender. Wish you and your family a blessed new year filled with happiness and good health.
February 9, 2011 at 12:54 pm |
Gosh! Your parents are doing amazingly well for their ages. To have lived alone for so long is good. You are in your prayers.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
February 9, 2011 at 2:53 pm |
1. You were an adorable child.
2. Taking care of aging parents is difficult for all of us. You’ve done the right thing — moving with your sister is a great idea. Leaving them in their home — while affording them an quasi feeling of independence is actually not real responsible as they need care. You’re all in my prayers.
February 12, 2011 at 2:37 am |
I understand You very well George. My father-in-law is 93 and he is stubborn. He continues to live his own house alone. During winter it is hard. Happily my wife’s brother lives quite near and helps him more often than we can, because we are not living near to him.
My prayers are with you George.