As your parents cross over into their golden years, the tides truly start to turn in the worry department. This already starts to happen when you have kids; when you realize you will worry about them until the end of time; when you begin to see why your own parents would wait up until all hours of the night until we were home and in our beds.
As kids and into our teen years, it’s normal to rebel against these attachments and restrictions, but when you become an adult, it can become unbearable at times, to still be treated like a kid. Then you realize that your kids will always be your children, and you love your parents that much for recognizing that their worries and fears even as we become old and gray ourselves, are everlasting. They can’t help themselves. It’s an innate feeling and when the time is right on our life’s timeline to be at peace with that recognition, you realize that you’re truly blessed to be loved so deeply.
My parents have been sick with COVID for a few days. My dad instincts are peaking with worry. I’m sure they will be fine but the parent brain doesn’t care about likelihoods. I’m calling them every day to check on them, bring them milk and flowers and homemade cookies. I haven’t had feedback on those. They aren’t so bad dipped in yogurt.
My parents haven’t really been sick throughout the pandemic. This is their first time catching COVID and it’s kicking their butt a bit. It’s something to take seriously with both your parents over 70.
I’ll sleep better when this has run through their system but like them, I wouldn’t trade this worry in for anything. I hope this love knows another 30 years.