Trent Ruble's Blog: The Other Way It Is - Posts Tagged "aging"
The Time is Near
Time is an insidious sort of thing, creeping up on you before you realize it. Things that were once way off in the future are now right on the horizon. I don't know why, but young people have a difficult time understanding this. I work on a college campus and, if I talk about these things around the students, they look at me like I'm from another planet. I'm sure I was the same... back when I was going to live forever.
One of the things that creeps up on a person is the task of caring for elderly parents. My parents are both 78 and still live on their own. However, they are about to move to a very nice duplex on an assisted living campus. They'll still be independent, but that first step has to be painful. My mother even expressed how this means she'll never get that big house she's always wanted. Getting old is tough.
Being on the assisted living campus also means they'll be in line when the time comes to move into what Dad calls "the big house." Now, this is not the same big house that Mom always dreamed about. No, he's referring to the nursing home next to the duplexes. So, for them, moving onto the campus may be a step toward "the end." But, for my siblings and me, it's comforting to know their care is assured.
All this makes me think about my wife and me and who'll care of us. We have several wonderful children and they've been most gracious in offering to take care of us. But, what a burden that will be. And, it's not as far away as they may realize.
As for me, I can't imagine living in a nursing home and, if I end up in one, I plan to escape. I told my family not to be surprised if this happens. I don't know that I would really do it as I don't want to cause my family trouble. But, I also can't accept the idea of living in an evil place where doctors, nurses or aides can come into my room at will, try telling me what to eat or wake me in the morning.
I guess this is all to say that I still don't have any idea what's going to happen to us. Hopefully, I'll just stay young forever. Never mind, It's too late for that.
One of the things that creeps up on a person is the task of caring for elderly parents. My parents are both 78 and still live on their own. However, they are about to move to a very nice duplex on an assisted living campus. They'll still be independent, but that first step has to be painful. My mother even expressed how this means she'll never get that big house she's always wanted. Getting old is tough.
Being on the assisted living campus also means they'll be in line when the time comes to move into what Dad calls "the big house." Now, this is not the same big house that Mom always dreamed about. No, he's referring to the nursing home next to the duplexes. So, for them, moving onto the campus may be a step toward "the end." But, for my siblings and me, it's comforting to know their care is assured.
All this makes me think about my wife and me and who'll care of us. We have several wonderful children and they've been most gracious in offering to take care of us. But, what a burden that will be. And, it's not as far away as they may realize.
As for me, I can't imagine living in a nursing home and, if I end up in one, I plan to escape. I told my family not to be surprised if this happens. I don't know that I would really do it as I don't want to cause my family trouble. But, I also can't accept the idea of living in an evil place where doctors, nurses or aides can come into my room at will, try telling me what to eat or wake me in the morning.
I guess this is all to say that I still don't have any idea what's going to happen to us. Hopefully, I'll just stay young forever. Never mind, It's too late for that.
The Other Way It Is
The stories and opinions of author Trent Ruble.
Find Trent Ruble on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/taruble/ ...more
Find Trent Ruble on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/taruble/ ...more
- Trent Ruble's profile
- 17 followers
