I could feel good about being able to help without that uneasy feeling that they would be a financial and emotional drain, or having strangers tramping through my home at all hours.
The real struggle comes when one's own family members (siblings, 30-something children) are squarely among the ill-prepared. Who, despite diplomatic (and sometimes not-so-diplomatic) encouragement for years, personify those Sue and OBG describe. Food reserves consist of this week's worth of groceries (maybe); a gallon jug of distilled water (actually bought for the steam iron) is their water back-up. They subscribe to the classic "they — whoever
they are — will take care of me."
Used to think it was my responsibility to take up the slack for them (and make no mistake...they'd be beating a path to my door in a heartbeat), but these days, old age is making me a bit more cynical and less-inclined.
Dan
Previous Topic
Index
