More and more these days I'm finding it a pretty common topic amongst my friends about the various things that are happening to our parents as they start to get older. Many different ailments and health problems are not uncommon. I seem to be attending many more funerals for friend's parents.

I'm fortunate that my folks generally seem to be doing okay. My dad had a bypass surgery a while ago and seems to have recovered and really taken to his walking regimen. Whenever I see them these days though, they just don't seem to match my mental picture of them. I would never have been able to imagine them as senior citizens, yet here they are. My youngest brother is still living at home, having recently finished school and I wonder what will happen once he leaves home. Many friends have told me that different things can happen once the nest is empty. They can begin to start deteriorating quicker (or at least it seems that way) or they can really start enjoying their golden years. I'm hoping it will be the latter.

I know just what you mean, Sam. It's really wierd to watch my parents age, and it is kinda hard. I mean, it's almost like they're sort of becoming.... old people, for lack of a better term.... I mean, they're not ancient or anything, but they're in their late 50's, and although largely healthy, it is as if they are starting to have those small issues which begin to crop up when you're not as young as you used to be. Like for example, my mom no longer uses salt in her foods because she has to watch her blood pressure. Right now, it's mostly small adjustments to lifestyle, like the no-salt cooking, or the frequency of doctor's appointments, but I still notice the difference, and it is a reminder that they are getting older. I don't much like to think about it, to tell you the truth.

Luckily, I do think that my parents are the sort who are really enjoying themselves at this age. They go to Ireland at least once a year, and just last month, they went to visit a fellow organic farmer in Jamaica, and stayed with him for a couple weeks to learn about his farming methods and share some of our's. It's really quite cool what they're doing. I think they'll probably continue travelling all over the world for as long as they're able, and I hope that's a very long time. They've worked hard, and deserve to reap the benefits of it. It is hard to see them getting older, but it is great to see them living well.

He's worth it.

Yeah, lately I have observed and noticed a few things about them that makes me REALLY worry, ugh!

We never had much good history together, but we've become closer and more understanding of each other, and now more than any other time are actually very close to acting and feeling like a real family, but everybody has to go somewhere else to build their lives.

I really worry about them a lot.

Then make sure they know you love them.

Well, never forget to remind her that she is loved.

Your parents certainly are young; they had you at your age! A lot of responsbility and sacrifices for them I bet.

Mine are 53 and 56

I lost my maternal grandmother in 2004; had she lived but 3 months longer, she would have been 90. But I have no regrets, since she was of sharp mind and wit, all the way until the end. I hope I have learned her wit.

I knew she loved me since my rank had risen to favourite #3, from perhaps#10 among her 12 grandchildren!

It’s something I think about more and more these days, both my parents are a live and doing well, but my dad is in his early 70’s and mom in her late 60’s now…

So far no heath issues for either of them… and they’re very active with in the Corean community, with the local community centre and their Buddhist Temple. After they both retired and sold the family business, they even started taking English lessons, 25 + years after we immigrated to Canada… lol…

I make it a point now to spend much time as I can with my daughter with them, my daughter and I have been visiting them every weekend now for the past 2 years.

So far my daughter is their only grand child so it’s important to me and my daughter to see them as much as possible and Megan actually enjoys visiting, she asks every week “is it weekend yet� I ask why, she replies “I want to go to harmonee’s (grand mother in Corean) house�


~FreeBeer

Not really. THey're aging well and we get a long alright now.

I'm kinda worried about "what if" something unexpected happens tho.

I'm looking for my lobster. Have you seen her?


I love the beach. Camera fone biotches