Aging – kind of freaky to watch minute by minute
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Aging. It’s kind of scary to watch. I don’t normally get to sentimental here on the blog or get “deep” about what goes on when you live with “old people” for a lack of better term. I have been thinking about how everyone around me seems to be getting older. Living with my grandparents has taught me a lot over the past few years. I have learned that no matter what happens in life, if you have your health, you have everything. Literally. I have watched my grandparents health, mobility and emotional well being kind of slowly slip down a drain as the years go by. It’s kind of like the drain has a leak for a little bit then it closes. Each time it leaks, a little bit of their health slips away. Unless you live with the person, you really don’t see it the way someone does who actually lives with them.
I love this picture of my grandparents sitting on the deck after I decorated it for them last fall.
I often wonder what it would be like to visit my grandparents at their home, like most people do. You know, just go for a visit on a Saturday afternoon and hang out. I wonder if I would recognize their deterioration. I wonder if I would know just how much they have changed. I wonder if I would see just how old they are. I even wonder these things about my parents sometimes. I mean, they were in their late 50’s when we moved in over 9 years ago. They are aging too.
My grandfather loves to sit in this rocker and watch the cars go by. I told him while I was decorating the foyer area after the new doors were installed, that the chair would be a good place for him to relax. He agrees. 🙂
I remember when I use to visit my parents (when we owned our own home prior to moving in 9 years ago) a couple times a week and just hang out. I never realized the life changes that happen with them aging. It’s hard to explain. When you visit your family members, you see them for a brief time and then after you leave, you go home and go about your business. You go about your life. Their process of aging doesn’t really stick with you. Does that make sense? Be sure to check out our about us page to read more about multigenerational living and our dementia diary series.
Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
Jessica, you have a unique position that is giving you the advantage of watching the changes of aging that come so gradually that most don’t notice them happening. This is a blessing and a challenge. One must always keep in mind that “some day” they too will be that senior family member. I think your position makes you more aware of that. Sometimes that is hard to imagine and perhaps scary too. Being almost 70 myself, I realize how fortunate one is when good health and sound mind are present. Your family is a very mixed bag of joy and sometimes sorrow. There is so much in life we can not change, and maybe that is for the best in the end too. Take each day as the gift it is and enjoy the moments. You are a wonderful daughter, granddaughter, wife and mother- that is a lot of roles to fill! That does not include all the other hats you wear on a daily basis. I am amazed at all you accomplish! Thank-you for your lovely blog- another of those awesome hats you wear. Bless you!
Thank you Ellen for your kind and encouraging words 🙂 I appreciate it!
You are doing a wonderful thing. I am sure they are helping you also. There is so much to learn from different generations. So much love to get and give. You are very special to be able to do this. Take each day as it comes and remember. You have no idea how much they are enjoying this and how much they appreciate you.
Thank you Gail! You are right, there is definitely lots that has been learned 🙂 Some pretty funny! -ha
It definitely does make a difference to live with your family and watch them age, but I experience it the opposite way I think. When I was living away from home while in college, I would be horrified by how much my parents aged each time I came home (only twice or three times per year). Now that I’m back home and living with them I don’t notice it as much. I find it really interesting, and also of course slightly heart breaking. I really enjoy your blog and your story.
Danielle @ afloat on a full sea
I can definitely see what you mean Danielle. My mom use to tell me the same thing when I was a kid and she would only see her parents a couple times a year. Especially when my grandfather (my mom’s dad) started to get sick as he aged. I remember seeing him as a kid when he had cancer and the amount that he aged in a couple months was certainly shocking. That’s great that you are home now and live with them 🙂
I just found your blog now. I found the stories on your grandfather’s Dementia and his move to the Assisted Living. My mother has been in Assisted Living for a little over a year, she will be 93 in a few days. I tried keeping her in her home after my dad died. But after 2 hospitalizations, a care giver, hiding in her home and not answering her phone we had to keep her safe. My dad has been gone 6 years …so for that time I had been basically putting out fires trying to keep her home as her mental status declined. It’s like a slow death everyday. But I’m so thankful to have found you. God bless you.