the way of the world

It was the news that no one with an ailing parent wants to hear.  Her condition has deteriorated…You know that eventually this news will arrive, but you hope with all your heart that something will change. But just like when you’re on a plane, and after several hours of cruising at a steady state, then pilot announces that you’ve just begun your descent into BlaBlah Airport, I fear my mother has begun her slow decline to the Inevitable.

The phone call was out of the blue as I had just talked to her the weekend before as she sounded perfectly great. But something was happening just the same. She is good at hiding things. Sparing her family as much pain as she can, all the while burying her suffering and anxiety. I guess that is what moms do.

I am battling my own fears as I head west to visit her, to help her and my dad, and to be there.

What do you say? What to do you? How do you behave? Are there books about this situation? I am so out of my element.

The photo for today is called The Wish. You’re supposed make a wish when you see a falling star. In this image there are hundreds of stars, hovering, waiting for you so you can wish your wish. I have made mine.

I also have a wish for you. If your parents are still around, give them a big hug today.