13 March 2005

Mr & Mrs G


Posted by Hello

I love my parents. so it's more than disturbing to witness them struggle with the indignities of long life. at 83 Mom is hobbld by hang toes & arthritis in the knees. at 86 Dad juggles a variety of infirmities. it seems cruel that the reward for longevity is pain.

while their physical stamina has diminishd   their attitude is positive & their good humor thrives. happily their minds are clear. both read 2 newspapers every morning. Dad delights in fixing machines & preparing his annual garden. Mom cooks for neighbors less well than she is & continues to act as a clipping service -- denuding newspapers & magazines to send appropriate materials to those abt whom she cares. both laugh abt their ailments. Mom tells me "Sonny   don't get old." if I have to live as long as they have I hope I inherit their courage.

2 comments:

Exguyparis said...

Love the photo of your mom & dad. They both look quite content and happy.

As my grandmotehr always said-- "The process of aging; it's a bitch." My dad is also 83, and my mom is 75. Both have had cancer; my dad, several varieties... but they both continue to "hold the right thought" (another quote from my grandmother, and it beautifully sums up her philosophy of life). They still enjoy life and each other. My dad is a bit bummed at the moment, because his knee replacement is giving him all kinds of shit (thanks to an unfriendly infection that they can't seem to cure).

I'm reaaly glad that you are getting to spend some time with your mom and dad!

Moi

richard lopez said...

in 98 I met Anna's grandparents in Upsala, Sweden for the first time. they've been married for over sixty years. Annalisa, Anna's grandmother celebrated her 80th birthday during our visit. both are still extraordinarily vigorous but with problems associated with aging. during that trip Annalisa said, funny I don't feel 80 yet, I still feel 25. perhaps mental health depends on part with insatiable curiousity coupled with an active mind. and we are always surprised how fast those years do fly