Not sure not the exact moment that the roles reversed. In a small way it happened years ago when my parents no longer knew more than I did. Then memory starts becoming an issue… Little things along the way have shown me that I needed to learn a patience I never really had before.
And then there’s the health issues – the day when you find yourself taking them to the hospital. When you’re making sure they are eating properly. It’s tough.
I imagine it’s tough on them too. I know they don’t want to be a burden because my mom told me so. Burden isn’t the right word, but the reality is that they have grown old. And they have been sick. My dad cognitively isn’t doing well, which makes it tough on Mom. I wonder if he has moments where he feels different? Inadequate? I hope not.
I don’t have any children of my own, but now we’re basically in charge of them. Of their health. Their well-being. And for me it comes with a deep sadness on many levels. This is the only family I have, and this is the beginning of where it all changes.
It happens in most families, so this isn’t any shocking revelation or anything… But it sucks. A lot. So there it is.
