I forget what I did the last time I was at their house. That is probably not good. They frown on forgetfulness. I really did not know that in their world, forgetting stuff is the beginning of senility. Honestly, I lost my billfold when I was 12 and had no idea where it had gone. When it turned up that first time I thought it was a miracle. Once we went on vacation, I lost the keys to our house. We found them in the front door when we returned home two weeks later. Since then, I have come to believe that nothing is ever lost. It is just misplaced.
But my children cluck their tongues at the other-in-laws' forgetfulness and talk about "how they are failing." Honestly, one other-in-law left the crated dog in the airport. She was under a lot of pressure. Poor woman. She isn't senile just because she lost the dog. If my history of absentmindedness is any indicator that I am failing, I would have been long gone by now. Personally, I think the only people who aren't forgetful are the ones who have nothing going on inside their heads.
Now I am beginning to worry that my children will have used up all their "old person" time on this earth before it gets to be my turn. When I get sick they will think, "I have done this for one set of parents (or two if the other-in-law-parents have been divorced). My brother/sister/brother can cover this one problem with Mom." In the end no one will come because the allotted time that each person is required to spend taking care of old people on this earth is finite and the other-in-laws have emptied the bank.
Maybe that is why old people will attach themselves to a neighbor or church. The other-in-laws have used up all the time. They keep the neighbors in reserve just in case. It could be that there is a window of opportunity for getting one's share of time and if you get old too late you are out of luck.
I remain hopeful. I have wonderful children and they have a sense of humor almost as wicked as their mother's. It is a given that I will tip over sooner or later. In the meantime I keep long lists so I won’t forget things, and watch the other-in-laws very carefully.
Article comments
1 - pia
I don't have kids but do have Godchildren who have been threatening to put us in the old age home--the cheapest one they can find since they were ten or so. I take that as a sign of affection and love. When they stop threatening I will feel old
But I do know what you mean--if it's any consolation my sister and i didn't think of our mother as old until she turned 86 and uh she fell and died four days later.
It's all about tude. Really. unless there are major problems and even then, attitude wins!
2 - b
You are right Pia...it is all about attitude and having a sense of humor.
b
3 - SenoraG
I enjoyed your article. It gave me a smile. We have my husband's father and my mother living with us now and let me tell you, I think it's harder than raising kids. LOL
You are only as old as you feel, that's why I will be forever 25. :) Thanks for the much needed smile.
4 - b (RetireInStyleBlog)
You are so welcome SenoraG...people like you are my heros!
b