Our current journey in life is one of faith and family.
We are in the "sandwich generation" of life. While our children are out of our house, we still care very much for them. And our parents are now at an age where we are increasingly called to care for them.
Both groups would prefer non-interference. Until a situation arises that pushes them to the limit. Familiar feelings I have experienced and still experience.
Today I talked to a senior couple who will move soon to be with their children. 63 years on the same farmstead. And yet they know the time has come. With that has come a certain release.
I trust that as I hit times where the impossible confronts me, I will turn to God and to my friends (in that order). Then I can truly say — "All things work together for the good for those who love God and are called by him according to the purpose he has for their lives."
I remember a visit to my Dad in the nursing home when John Nathanael was about 2 or 3. My mom sent a piece of pumpkin pie along with us for Dad. John Nathanael also likes pumpkin pie, so he eagerly shared it with Grandpa. Due to Dad’s tremors from Parkinson’s Disease, I had to feed him the pie. I vividly remember feeding both my Dad and my son the pie. There wasn’t a lot of difference between the eating habits of someone at the age of 3 or 73.
It takes lots of patience and love to see one’s parents live out their last days of life. May God’s grace be very real to you in these times.