Happiness
When my mother turned 40 she gave my father an ultimatum: "either I want to get a job or I want another baby". And so I was born when my mother was 41 and my father almost 43. Thank you pappa for being an old-fashioned guy.
Growing up my parents were older than my best friend's grandmother, but it never really bothered me, they made up for it by being far more relaxed and chilled-out than all my friends' parents combined.
But now, well now they're old. My dad will be 81 in December and my mother 80 next February. And their bodies are starting to fail. And the last four visits (they live in Sweden and I don't get to see them very often) have been coupled with either one of them being seriously ill. Until this one that is.
I have just returned back to the UK from a brief but glorious visit, and I feel... happy, relieved, grateful and calm... Having last seen my father in March, when he weighed no more than 130 lbs following surgery (not much for a guy over 6 feet), to see him now, back to his usual lively, goofy self, seemed almost like a miracle. And I revelled in their company, the conversations we had. Really inhaled them, storing them deep deep inside, memories that I can draw from in the future.
mmmm... it's good to be back.
Categories:
Family stories,
Pause for thought
10 comments:
hmmm, I am bracing myself for the prospect of becoming an 'old' parent...
(great to see you so refreshed!)
oh and I was around your neck of the woods the other day (worthing). thought about paying you a visit. :-p
am so happy to hear about your father and its also so good to hear about your experiences having older parents, i needed to hear that :)
lots of love .. xox
i remember when your dad wasn't well, so it is lovely to hear he hear he is doing better. cheers!
I'm glad to hear your father is back to his old self. As an older parent with an even older husband, I think about this for my own child when she's grown.
Happiness indeed!
soooo yummy and good to have you back... and even better that you come bearing such good news :)
of course, knowing more about how special your folks are explains some of your special loveliness too :)
Vx
Ciao bella! So good to see you around and to hear that your father is doing so much better :)
hey you're back!
happy happy happy.
your father seems like a strong man, and that's an impression i have of Swedish elderlies, that they are much stronger than the ones i see in Hong Kong.
I don't know if I'm right, but the mentality might have somethin to do with it.Chinese elderlies still expect to be taken care of (by their offsprings) when they get old, hence they don't want to do anything because they think they can't. There's a lot of retired people living in my complex, and I always admire their energy when I see them going out for a daily walk, even though some of them need to use a walking cane.
I am so glad you're back! And with some good memories to cherish, too :)
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