September 4, 2019
1:38 p.m.

It seems to me that it has been a long year. Kind of a tough year, too.

My parents are getting older. We who are lucky enough to still have parents can all say that--they are getting older. But this past year has been a time when I could actually see it happening, day by day. Not just because I'm here every day, either. Because it has accelerated.

I suppose once someone reaches that eight-decade milestone, acceleration is to be expected. So why did I not expect it?

Mom has been through so much in two years. Four surgeries--three elective for knee and hip replacements and one that literally saved her life two years ago when she had a blockage in her small intestine. She uses a cane, even after surgeries, and frequently also makes use of a walker. Still, she remains strong in mind and manages her days well.

Dad is weakening daily. He has become confused and no longer takes joy in the things he used to love. His appetite is sporadic; some days he eats well, and other days I have to beg and ply him with extra protein drinks. He has issues with balance and has fallen several times in the past few months, at one time injuring himself quite badly.

I no longer feel comfortable if I'm not with them all the time.

That said, I have to go to Colorado next week for medical stuff and *gasp* jury duty. My sister will come and stay with them.

I have gotten to a point in my life where I find myself "borrowing trouble". Worst case scenarios just pop into my head, and I'm not sure how to deal with that. I might be a little depressed.
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Last week was pretty nice, since my nephew and his wife and daughter came for a visit that lasted longer than a weekend. It was so nice to spend some good time visiting with them.

 

They make their home in Washington, which is too far away, of course. Every time someone says "It's a small world", all I can think is that it sure seems big to me, when all the people I love are too far away for me to visit every day! 

At any rate, we got to have a few days of good visits, and my sister and brother-in-law did a really nice barbecue at their house. Good food, good company. Who could ask for more?

(I could have asked for no migraine, but I managed to enjoy the day, the food and the company in spite of the darn headache. Boy, those things are killjoys, aren't they?)
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The Labor Day thing has come and gone, and now we must prepare for summer's end. I hope we have a long and mild autumn before winter comes. I hear the winter predictions this year are dire. Ugh.

Speaking of Labor Day, I didn't even glance at sales, look at traffic statistics or in any way acknowledge that the holiday is about anything else but good labor laws. Aren't you proud of me?
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I'm going to have to grab the dog. Neighbor has a new pup, and she's really winding Molly up with her barking. They are going to drive all the neighborhood nuts. It's probably a pleasant conversation, but I don't have a doggie translation app. Ha ha!

Y'all have a good evening!