NZFF

Having reached my 62nd year (thank God) I seem to spend more time looking back than forward. For example, tonight I called into Mums place, as I do every night (she was 85 on the 4th) and we were talking .....
We spoke like old friends but for years and years she guided me, knew when I had done something bad (my high school years were hell for her) ....hard to explain, but the gap in years seems to close up.
The roles seem to reverse ...the one who was dependent assumes an almost parental role ....I worry about this and that in relation to her, frustrating some times, infuriating occasionally ..... just like she did with me so long ago.

We talked about the past, the future, and things I've wondered about were explained. As usual, I'm not sure what I'm trying to say here .... it's just really odd being 62 and feeling 40, with an 85 year old dependant.
I'm glad I was born when I was ....I've witnessed history that will never be repeated, I regret nothing I've done ....some of it could have been done better ...but it wasn't, but it got me here and I'm happy.

Anyway ....Have a good night, disregard the ramblings of a grumpy old (relatively) fart

Best birthday wishes to your Mum, and never forget that once you turn 55 you are fully qualified as a grumpy old fart - more power to you

Marty, I do think that around here you are relatively young....

I've always admired how you maintained your relationship with your parents, I know that it is not always easy, and that a lot of people -- including me -- give up at some point when things get complicated.

I'm also dumbfounded how you have zeroed in on something which has suddenly become a priority for me, after a long, long time I've finally reconnected with my own mother, who will be 85 next month. I am planning on visiting her shortly, and I am hoping that I can come away with some answers to a lot of questions. Our mothers' generation had it tough, and the fact is that raising kids to adulthood and keeping them safe is well-worth respecting and acknowledging.

Rob, I hope it works out with your Mum.
" Our mothers' generation had it tough" they did indeed ....Mum is writing her life story at the moment, and my God they did it tough....some were more fortunate, but for your "average" family at that time (mid to post war) were on the bones of their arse.
" raising kids to adulthood and keeping them safe is well-worth respecting and acknowledging" Agree 100% .....but the flip side is sad, I have have friends who hardly know their parents ....I guess I was lucky, and it took 40 or so years to realize that.

Marty, it was partly your posts here which inspired me to try and do better, so thanks for that. Today I spent 3 1/2 hours on the phone to my mum, just letting her talk, which was great, and quite enlightening. The next step is to visit her, she left Christchurch after the earthquakes, and settled in Whanganui, which is not just up the road, unfortunately. But I do know that if I don't try and reconnect, I'll regret it one day.
Say hi to your mum for me.

Great news Rob. Please make the effort to see her, you won't regret it.
Ma passes on her regards to you .....I read a lot of what is posted on the forum, she enjoys it very much.