Life is busy with children, grandchildren, elderly parents, home, work and the attempted outside activity. As busy as life can be we need to remember our parents will not always be here. I can remember my own mother telling me how much she missed her mother, my Nonna. At the time she was lamenting on missing Nonna my mother was nearly eighty. Nonna lived into her nineties and my mother was blessed at having her mother until she in well into her seventies. I remember thinking it was quite odd she would be missing her mother at her age. Now, having lost my mother several years ago and myself being into my sixties I understand the loss. Your mother is the person you love and dislike the most. Mom holds a very special place in our hearts. Remember, no matter how busy you are with your life that people are precious and we need to make time for them. A telephone call or a five minute visit can be so important to a person who is older and for whom life is slower. It can brighten their day and help them realize how important they are to someone. Do not forget to make time. The dishes and laundry can wait, food can be cooked five minutes later and the children can learn some patience while you talk with mom.
In the past few years we have seen an increased number of our clients being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s. The children or family members tend to step in and help take care of the parent but it is a different relationship at that point. Enjoy your parent(s) and take some time each day or week to be sure they are safe, happy and know you care.