Wonders & Woes (Watching the Elders Grow Old)

I made a funny video over on the clock app about my mom inviting herself to go with me to run errands. For the most part, people understood the humor and laughed with me. But of course, others didn’t get it. They left comments like “I wish I had my mom to run errands with!” Or “You will miss her when she’s gone.”

Well duh!!!

It is an absolute blessing to have your parents still in your life. It’s an even bigger blessing to be able to call your mom and/or dad friend. You should absolutely love on them while you can. Be patient with them. Teach them new tricks. Show them new things. Offer experiences that they may have never had. Enjoy the time!!!

But every day isn’t sunny. Sometimes, clouds of age darken those days. Watching the elders grow old can come with woes. It’s difficult seeing someone you love be in pain and there is nothing you can do. It’s difficult watching people who were your childhood heroes now struggle to do basic life tasks. People don’t understand the challenges that come with role reversal; when you now have to take on parental duties to the one you call mom or dad. Watching them not only change physically but mentally is a real eye opener. Having to learn their new way of thinking, acting, and living (because it all changes with age) and making adjustments can be hard.

Now don’t get me wrong…THE WONDERS DEFINITELY OUTWEIGH THE WOES!!! I’m going to say it again…THE WONDERS DEFINITELY OUTWEIGH THE WOES!!! But please don’t discredit a person’s feelings, thoughts, and experiences if you’ve never been there yourself! The amount of not so positive comments I got on that video was insane! I didn’t let it bother me because those people don’t know me. They don’t know that I love my mom to death. They don’t know that I ride for my mom. They don’t know that my mom lives with me. They don’t know I have given my mom not just amazing gifts but once in a lifetime experiences as well. They also don’t know how heartbreaking it is to hear her in pain all night or see her cry because she’s frustrated. You don’t see the behind the scenes of trying to figure out my schedule and hers. Unless you’ve been through it, you’ll never understand how it is trying to be strong for ailing parents when you need help (of any and all kinds) yourself.

If you still have a good relationship with your parents, keep it that way. Love on them. Respect them. Treasure them. Honor them.

And to those whose parents have been called home…treasure your memories. Smile when you think of them.

But in either situation, stop projecting on others. Because two things can be true at the same time; there can be wonders AND woes of watching the elderly grow old. A day alone to run errands doesn’t make one better than the other.

Y’all be blessed!