General Discussion

PatSeg

(53,683 posts)

64. I was thinking the same thing

Wed Apr 18, 2018, 12:41 PM

Apr 2018

about their eyes lighting up when they go into the past, talking about things that they haven't mentioned in decades. I only had one grandparent who lived past my early childhood. When she saw me breastfeeding my first child, she really did light up and began to share her stories about babies and motherhood. Truly great stories and in telling them, she became younger and more vibrant.

Unfortunately, there are other stories that were locked away, as was the tendency of older generations. Once they put their skeletons in a closet, they weren't coming out. My sisters and I tried in vain to get my parents to disclose some family secrets, but they took most of them to the grave, leaving us to do a lot of second guessing and Internet research.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

67 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

My Wife and I Visited my 93-year-old parents in California over the past 5 days. [View all] MineralMan Apr 2018 OP

I just spent a week with my mom, who turned 96... 3catwoman3 Apr 2018 #1

That's wonderful. MineralMan Apr 2018 #2

My Mom passed away at 78. Blue_true Apr 2018 #37

Yes. It's a rare thing. MineralMan Apr 2018 #40

That's very cool Mineralman awesomerwb1 Apr 2018 #3

I didn't grow up there. MineralMan Apr 2018 #8

Sounds like you have a great big family. awesomerwb1 Apr 2018 #14

It makes me happy MM to hear you say leftieNanner Apr 2018 #17

I would go cook breakfast several days a week for my parents before they died. Mom,78. Dad 83. notdarkyet Apr 2018 #19

Gosh leftieNanner Apr 2018 #23

I just moved six weeks ago to about ten minutes from my daughter , her husband and two of my notdarkyet Apr 2018 #27

My family tells stories. We always have. MineralMan Apr 2018 #33

my family did too Hamlette Apr 2018 #50

You make some good points. Blue_true Apr 2018 #42

Lost my Mom at age 61 and my Dad at 74. luvtheGWN Apr 2018 #60

It is good to ask questions while you can PatSeg Apr 2018 #62

Yes. I've always asked a lot of questions of older relatives. MineralMan Apr 2018 #63

I was thinking the same thing PatSeg Apr 2018 #64

Yes. People often have stories they will not tell. MineralMan Apr 2018 #65

Yes PatSeg Apr 2018 #67

That's so great that they are still trucking! FirstLight Apr 2018 #4

Thank you for sharing your parents with us. I hope they can stay on their avocado farm forever Hekate Apr 2018 #5

Thanks for taking the time to read it! MineralMan Apr 2018 #9

That's their plan. I imagine they will. MineralMan Apr 2018 #10

What a lovely read eleny Apr 2018 #6

Thanks for reading. I'm glad that it had a good effect MineralMan Apr 2018 #12

Still lucid and keeping it together at 93, impressive. May we all be so lucky. StrictlyRockers Apr 2018 #7

Yes, it's very rare. MineralMan Apr 2018 #11

My mother quitnesset Apr 2018 #13

Too bad she didn't make those last two! mountain grammy Apr 2018 #16

they sound like nice people. Mosby Apr 2018 #15

Beautiful post malaise Apr 2018 #18

Yes, and all the memories. MineralMan Apr 2018 #26

Nice story! smirkymonkey Apr 2018 #20

sweet mehrrh Apr 2018 #21

Returning from visiting CA to see my 95 year old mother. LuckyLib Apr 2018 #22

Repetition of stories is expected. MineralMan Apr 2018 #29

Thanks for sharing your parents with us. gademocrat7 Apr 2018 #24

wow MineralMan bdamomma Apr 2018 #25

How wonderful you still have them mcar Apr 2018 #28

Pure luck, I know. MineralMan Apr 2018 #30

That's lovely! mcar Apr 2018 #31

They sound lovely. I lost my Dad at 65 and my mom at 71...I would give a great deal just to see them Demsrule86 Apr 2018 #32

I'm very grateful to still have them. MineralMan Apr 2018 #38

That is true. I understand because I have friends with elderly parents that it can be difficult too. Demsrule86 Apr 2018 #53

You are so lucky DownriverDem Apr 2018 #61

I hope they long continue to live and love struggle4progress Apr 2018 #34

Yes. Soon they will all be gone. MineralMan Apr 2018 #36

No matter how long they stay with us, they always leave too soon struggle4progress Apr 2018 #39

Yes, sadly. MineralMan Apr 2018 #43

Hey man, your Mom is 93 years old, get off her case about what she eats. Blue_true Apr 2018 #35

I do warn her if she orders something with MineralMan Apr 2018 #44

That's wonderful that you guys are able to spend Upthevibe Apr 2018 #45

My folks died within 9 months of each other. erinlough Apr 2018 #46

My mother just passed in December. She was 88. blueinredohio Apr 2018 #47

My mom is 93 and on hospice nini Apr 2018 #48

A lot to unpack, but totally worth it. BobTheSubgenius Apr 2018 #49

These times you will cherish. Laffy Kat Apr 2018 #51

Next time you see your folks, please add a hug raven mad Apr 2018 #52

I regret Brainstormy Apr 2018 #54

Lucky is the word, for sure. MineralMan Apr 2018 #59

Lucky You! Enjoy them while you can. spanone Apr 2018 #55

Teared up for some reason. Lobo27 Apr 2018 #56

Mine will be gone, too, and too soon. MineralMan Apr 2018 #58

Wow TuxedoKat Apr 2018 #57

Beautiful story about life...thanks for sharing MM. nt SWBTATTReg Apr 2018 #66