Reading this has brought some tears, as I currently watch my mothers life force decline. I feel grief and compassion for both ailing parents, but now in a caring role, it has also opened up my heart and increased my sensitivity in so many ways. Thsnkyou I really appreciate this read this morning 🙌
You're welcome Kathy. Be gentle with yourself as you move through this time with your parents. Don't hesitate to take care of your own needs along the way. Extra self care and asking others for support helped me tremendously when I was grieving.
This is top of mind for me as my parents slow down more and more. It helps to think that there are lessons to learn and personal growth is possible out of what seems like mostly pain.
My mom texted that she loved me last week. This is the first time in my life that she’s expressed it in words, and it feels a bit late.
I feel like both of my parents wasted their opportunities to grow emotionally. I won’t do the same.
It's not easy reconciling all the challenges our parents present us with throughout our lives, but the older I get, the more I'm able to see them through the lens of my own mistakes and missteps. This has allowed me to love them unconditionally, while still honoring and making space for my own healing.
Thanks for this, Victoria. I've experienced these benefits through the deaths of loved ones as well. As for the last one, your timing is pretty amazing because tomorrow I'm planning to show my older son where everything is in my computer and familiarize him with my "End of Life" folder. I don't want my kids to have to go through what I went through dealing with my father's estate--though it was nothing compared to what you went through when your father died, and my sister and I were able to take care of a lot of things while he was still living.
Yes, I still need to complete some of the "Five Wishes" paperwork for my sons, which will give them guidelines to use in a variety of scenarios pre- and post-death. Some of my preferences have changed in the past couple of years, so I think it's also important to update anything that no longer feels right. There are lots more options now for end-of-life planning than ever before that I personally will be adding to my preferences.
Reading this has brought some tears, as I currently watch my mothers life force decline. I feel grief and compassion for both ailing parents, but now in a caring role, it has also opened up my heart and increased my sensitivity in so many ways. Thsnkyou I really appreciate this read this morning 🙌
You're welcome Kathy. Be gentle with yourself as you move through this time with your parents. Don't hesitate to take care of your own needs along the way. Extra self care and asking others for support helped me tremendously when I was grieving.
Thank you for this beautiful share. Sending you so much love 💖
Thank you Catherine! Blessings to you.
This is top of mind for me as my parents slow down more and more. It helps to think that there are lessons to learn and personal growth is possible out of what seems like mostly pain.
My mom texted that she loved me last week. This is the first time in my life that she’s expressed it in words, and it feels a bit late.
I feel like both of my parents wasted their opportunities to grow emotionally. I won’t do the same.
It's not easy reconciling all the challenges our parents present us with throughout our lives, but the older I get, the more I'm able to see them through the lens of my own mistakes and missteps. This has allowed me to love them unconditionally, while still honoring and making space for my own healing.
Thanks for this, Victoria. I've experienced these benefits through the deaths of loved ones as well. As for the last one, your timing is pretty amazing because tomorrow I'm planning to show my older son where everything is in my computer and familiarize him with my "End of Life" folder. I don't want my kids to have to go through what I went through dealing with my father's estate--though it was nothing compared to what you went through when your father died, and my sister and I were able to take care of a lot of things while he was still living.
Yes, I still need to complete some of the "Five Wishes" paperwork for my sons, which will give them guidelines to use in a variety of scenarios pre- and post-death. Some of my preferences have changed in the past couple of years, so I think it's also important to update anything that no longer feels right. There are lots more options now for end-of-life planning than ever before that I personally will be adding to my preferences.
I'd forgotten about the Five Wishes that you talked about in another post. I never did investigate that. I'll have to check it out.