Parents – Remember Them Well

            I happen to one of many friends that still have both of my parents and they have been “happily” married for over 45 years. They argue, curse, yell and scream but when there is a situation, I can see in their face that they have no idea what they will do when the first one passes on. “Happily married” in there own special way; yet still so in love with each other.

            Like all of us we have our moments and we seem uncontrollable and annoying but as time is moving on, the things that annoy me the most about my parents, I now set aside. As our parent age, just as we will do in time, they become moody, they want things their way, and don’t try to change them. It is at this time, that you must change your way of dealing with them. While looking at them through your loving eyes, so that you will remember them well. Try hard to remember the good times and put the bad times on the lower shelf in the basement, it is the good times that really matter.

            This all comes to mind, because of recent events, which made me realized that my parents, won’t be there forever! With a family reunion coming about, preparing to set out a few States over, to see family members we have not seen, some in months others in years; there was excitement in the air.
Looks like the area we (they) had the family reunion

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            Dad was not going to be joining us, he had made a commitment and that was that!

            As it turned out while Dad was on his trip, and we were preparing for our trip he had a heart attack, now he has had heart disease for over forty years; and had a stint placed in his heart about twenty years ago. Oh what to do, especially when you get the call at 12:30 am, and he is about five hundred and fifty miles away.

            Again it all came back to me, they are not going to be there forever, tomorrow morning I will do, as I must.  Well, the next day those who were going to the family reunion, I took them since my trip was going to make me stop there anyway. Saying hello to Dads siblings taking all their well wishes “placing each and everyone’s wish carefully tucked away in my heart” Mom and I set out.

            We arrived at about 1 AM, he was sitting up and doing very well; and more than likely he would be able to go home the next day. Wow he looked great, which meant I would still have time to camp, travel and do the things we always did; just at a slower pace.

            In the end, Dad made it to family reunion, everyone, especially his siblings were very happy to see him. We took family photo, and we got to enjoy each other for a few hours and an overnight before we had to head home. The sibling photo will sit in my room, which has only five of the original six; it could have been only four!

           
George Washington Bridge where traffic is forever a nightmare!On the ride home that took much too long, thanks to New Jersey and New York traffic, and my parents argued, curse and complained, but you know what they are “happily married”; just moving a little slower; for me I over look the negative and try hard to focus on the positive; while looking back at the good times.
New York,

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New Jersey

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