I did something today that I have been meaning to do for quite some time....way before Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. Some people might think it a bit macabre, but when the time comes I know I will be emotionally unable to function to this extent. I burned a song on CD to play at Dad's funeral....Larry Gatlin singing In the Garden. This song reminds me so much of him. It brings tears to my eyes even now. I'm sure I'll be a babbling idiot when the time comes. I already have harvested a picture of both Mom and Dad for the paper. Who has the sense to do these things after they are dead and so many decisions have to be made? Sometimes I feel guilty that I have already thought of these things, but I also know what a pile of mush I will be when decisions have to be made. It would be unfair to my brother to have to be the sole decision maker.
7 months ago
7 comments:
It is tough to watch your parents grow old and feeble and know that it is just a matter of time before they are gone.
I had visited with my parents in Oklahoma just two weeks before my Mother died and then lost my Dad a year and a half later. The only consolation I had was that they both had lived a full and long life..Mom was nearly 80 and Dad a moth shy of 84...and both had told me that their goal of raising and educating their children had been fulfilled.
When my wife was in college she took a course called "death and dying"..her Mother had terminal cancer and my wife was trying to deal with it emotionally. One of the things the professor told the class about the loss of parents was that it forced one to deal with their own mortality...I found this to be true when my parents died.
I think though that you are a strong person and when the time comes you will be able to handle it..and I wish you the very best.
Thanks for your kind words. This is all new to me and I am 65 years old.I've been very blessed.My parents' goals are also completed. All they wanted was for their children to be educated, successful, and happy. They were granted this wish.
Aunt Sandi,
I waited til after Mother died to try to think of things. Big mistake. When Daddy was on his death bed, I started making that call list (couldn't even think of people with Mother). Even before he got that far along in his illness, I got all his financial matters simplified so that I could handle them. It is strange, though, how calm and strong you will find yourself being when the time comes. I am not saying it will be easy, but for some reasom, God gives us that extra something to go on and get it all done. I fell apart later when I could just be that babbling idiot and didn't care. I can say with all certainty that I know exactly what you are going through (twice over) and you will surprise yourself and your family. When Mother died, I remember like it was yesterday what Jason said to me...."Mom, how can you be so strong...how can you do all this?" Amazing Grace that's how. Love you and think of you everyday. Dianne
Thanks, Dianne. Just about everyone I know has been through it. I have often wondered how they were as strong as they appeared. I guess you nailed it for me. It's a God thing. Love you, SB
I love you, Grandma Beatty!
Denise
Thank you, Sweetie! I love you, too! And those babies and husband, too!
I'm so sorry it's time for you to do this, Ms. B. You, your parents and the rest of your family will remain in our prayers.
We love you!
Gina
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