Friday, August 20, 2010

Zip Code Changes

Gratefully, not DH and me, but members of our family have had lots of moving these past couple of weeks. DH's mom turned 90 in June.

 For the past twenty something years, her two children and her five grandsons have lived in the metro Atlanta area. It's over 600 miles one way to the area she lived in Louisiana (central LA). This past year has been one with  some health issues for her. At the beginning of July, we asked her to consider moving  to the Atlanta area so that we could spend more time with her and provide help when she needed. With great courage, she agreed to make the move. She had always lived in that area of Louisiana. We are so grateful that she agreed to make her home in Georgia. We spent a couple of weeks looking at assisted living facilities.



 The facility we decided on is about five miles from our home. DH's sister and her family live about 30 miles away.  For years my two brothers and their wives have provided care for my Dad. Living  600 miles away, I was lucky to visit several times a year. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to help with my MIL's care. She is mentally sharp, but has mobility problems. Please say a small prayer that she will adjust to her new living conditions. It is good for the family to have her here near us.

On Saturday, it was time again to move our dear son back to college. He is beginning his second year of studies, but has changed universities. He has decided to attend Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta. Yes, DOWNTOWN. You can imagine the discussions at our home when he announced that he wanted to rent an apartment with a buddy from high school instead of living in the dorm. After visiting the apartment complex, I relaxed some. He had a terrible roommate situation last year. We want him to be successful. All summer we have been collecting unwanted furniture and household goods. (Thanks Pat and Kristie for your donations) With 3 pickup trucks and 4 cars, we managed to move them into their new "digs." All this "moving" is plain hard work!  Please keep our son in your prayers. Moms worry.
(Keenan and Michael signing their apartment lease)
One of many trips to Walmart and grocery stores.
"Essential" college study aids:)
All settled in and ready to "study." His quilt (Blueberry Pie in Simply Indigo fabric by Kansas Troubles) is attending college, too:)

I wish we could say that we are finished with all the moving. Dad is in an assisted living facility in Baton Rouge. In spite of his insistence that he purchased the place (he has been diagnosed with dementia), it's been suggested that we look for a new place that provides more "assistance." We are in the research stage. Again, it's difficult because all three of us (my two brothers and me) are involved in getting our children off to college. It's the decision-making that is so difficult. We only want what is best for Dad. It's just so hard to know what that is.

Thanks for listening!

6 comments:

Jocelyn said...

Wow you have a lot of changes going on. Moving is no fun, but it will be best for all involved. Hope it all transitions well.

Diane said...

I know what you mean!!

It's hard enough moving yourself, but being responsible for others is hard too.

And the worry is a big part of that. It's not just the physical part that is hard. I will say a few prayers for you and yours.

Darlene said...

Just going to leave a little (hug) - you deserve it. :-)

Unknown said...

You have had a really busy summer, no wonder you retired.

Teresa said...

I have been caring for my elderly parents too, so I understand. Fortunately my children are all on their own now, or that would be really double duty. Take care of yourself and I wish you strength to do what you need to do, and peace in your decisions.

Micki said...

Bless your heart...you have had so much going on! Hope you get a breather soon!
Micki