tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post1173584302892500144..comments2023-10-21T07:52:07.859-04:00Comments on Overcoming With God: Honoring our Aging Parents by Laura FrantzCarrie Fancett Pagelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096954464239963966noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-13325123233205081182012-10-07T18:19:13.141-04:002012-10-07T18:19:13.141-04:00Gwen Gage, Congrats!!! You are the third winner, ...Gwen Gage, Congrats!!! You are the third winner, chosen by random.org. Carrie Fancett Pagelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096954464239963966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-7352953528054490022012-10-05T18:08:57.303-04:002012-10-05T18:08:57.303-04:00The Reillys and Cohens love Laura Frantz's wri...The Reillys and Cohens love Laura Frantz's writing, too, I can tell. Thanks for sharing your journeys with us. Carrie Fancett Pagelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096954464239963966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-65134311093640696732012-10-05T09:27:18.648-04:002012-10-05T09:27:18.648-04:00My mom had heart problems due to an illness she ha...My mom had heart problems due to an illness she had when she was young. I had to take care of her when I was younger, and later i had to go down to Florida when she was dying and passed away in 1992. It was a rough time, but I'll always cherish the moments I was able to spend with her before she passed. <br /><br />icohen62(at)gmail(dot)comIranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-36641357307956181782012-10-05T09:25:53.618-04:002012-10-05T09:25:53.618-04:00My dad passed away in 2006 after I had taken care ...My dad passed away in 2006 after I had taken care of him for many years. He and my mom lived two houses away, so I was able to go over and help my mom take care of him. I've also had to take care of my mom, who has had a mini-stroke and two heart attacks. Thankfully she lives with us now, which helped when she had the heart attacks!<br /><br />jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)comJennynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-14412136781367664622012-10-05T09:01:26.327-04:002012-10-05T09:01:26.327-04:00I've had to care for my parents for the last c...I've had to care for my parents for the last couple of years. They still live in the house I grew up in, so I drive back and forth once a week to drive my mom to the store and to bring them to the doctor. God has been extremely gracious to us through the years. And I'm grateful for this time spent with them.<br /><br />Thanks for the giveaway! <br /><br />Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)comDebbienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-23704773081462594162012-10-05T08:58:41.414-04:002012-10-05T08:58:41.414-04:00I'm still pretty young, but as I've seen o...I'm still pretty young, but as I've seen others say...I've helped my mom care for my grandparents. My grandpa had a stroke when I was pretty young and, although, he's much better now, it did change him in some ways. It brought our family closer, which is something to be thankful for. <br /><br />Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)comEmilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242539131614022582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-21026769307100020322012-10-05T07:50:01.697-04:002012-10-05T07:50:01.697-04:00I haven't had to deal with this yet either, bu...I haven't had to deal with this yet either, but I have had to watch my mom take care of my grandpa. He had cancer for many years and was in and out of the hosptial for most of my life, and she diligently stayed by his and my grandma's side the entire time. He passed away six years ago, but God has given me the peace that I'll see him again. =) <br /><br />lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)comElyssahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15307570769861420427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-35008213786975633662012-10-04T13:57:24.522-04:002012-10-04T13:57:24.522-04:00Well, I'm still in college so I haven't ha...Well, I'm still in college so I haven't had to deal with this yet, but thanks for the post and the giveaway. :)<br /><br />biblioprincess15 (at) yahoo (dot) comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06150136011032761640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-74509481524556761212012-10-04T13:44:17.646-04:002012-10-04T13:44:17.646-04:00My dad passed away in 92' and my mom later sol...My dad passed away in 92' and my mom later sold their home and moved into apartment near my sister (who did not work). She was very independent and then her sister and her best friend moved into the same complex and were all in the same building on the first floor. My mom stopped driving in 2006 after truck ran into her but she still did her shopping and beauty shop every week thanks to my sister who took her out. My sister found her one morning, Jul 06' when she went by to get some info from her for doctors office. She had talked to my sister-in-law about 10pm the night before and was OK. She was on the couch with the paper in her hand reading. They say she died from heartattack fast without any pain. She was alone but happy that she had her own place and was still active. I know she was happy to see my dad. They had one of the sweetest loves I have ever seen. I miss her so much as well as my dad and baby brother who died in 2003.<br /><br />misskallie2000 at yahoo dot commisskallie2000https://www.blogger.com/profile/09235631978482541630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-63598993395895028162012-10-04T08:06:12.660-04:002012-10-04T08:06:12.660-04:00I haven't had to bear the brunt of it, but my ...I haven't had to bear the brunt of it, but my family's been taking care of my grandma ... I know my mom has been getting stressed about it recently. I should forward her this to her later --It's been encouraging to me just reading these posts. =)<br /><br />jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]eduLady DragonKeepernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-15033896813564126062012-10-03T11:49:06.586-04:002012-10-03T11:49:06.586-04:00Bonnie, Wonderful to see you here! After talking t...Bonnie, Wonderful to see you here! After talking to you in Portland at our book signing and reading your comments here, I'm struck again by how faithful you are. I know you're too humble to dwell on that but you've inspired me to go the extra mile with my mom and step-dad and be deeply involved.<br /><br />Love when you say being deeply involved is a gift but it hurts, too. That's the part I didn't reckon with - the emotional wrench of watching an able body person who was larger than life to you lose so much over time. Yet I know it's a part of God's plan, the fall, and will make eternity all the sweeter. <br /><br />Prayers with you and your mom. I'd love to meet her one day. And I do hope to meet up with you again soon. Our time together in May just wasn't quite long enough! Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-57730305921155184742012-10-03T11:39:29.856-04:002012-10-03T11:39:29.856-04:00Jan, I understand what you say here on so many lev...Jan, I understand what you say here on so many levels. My prayers are with you and your husband. You're in that sensitive spot of being aware you're aging and feeling more insecure and also the impact that has on your loved ones. Medication can cause a great deal of physical and/or memory loss/impairment yet must be taken anyway. Love your attitude about being a grandma. I bet you're a wonderful one! I look forward to aging if only because I get to enjoy my grandchildren one day. I think that's God's special gift to us to help us in our older years. Thanks so much for your very thoughtful comments:)Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-40793457510592869912012-10-03T01:32:55.678-04:002012-10-03T01:32:55.678-04:00Laura, I love this post. I absolutely relate.
My...Laura, I love this post. I absolutely relate. <br /><br />My stepfather died last February and my mother who was very ill at the time came to live near me in an assisted living home. Although Mom has full time care I am still very much involved in her life, managing her finances and her property in Washington, making sure she has the little odds and ends that she might need, getting her to doctor visits, and taking her out just for fun at least once a week. I visit often and we chat or watch special television shows together or listen to music or play one the games offered to the residents where she lives. We just got back from a trip to her home in Washington State--an arduous journey for us both, but a great blessing. <br /><br />Being deeply involved is a gift, but it hurts too. My mother is a dear soul and aging is a difficult process. It hurts to watch her suffer the loss of her health and strength. And yet, I am blessed because I get to spend this time with her.Bonnie Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07835257638506792143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-72031024515258150992012-10-02T23:42:30.056-04:002012-10-02T23:42:30.056-04:00I forwarded this article to my husband. I took car...I forwarded this article to my husband. I took care<br />of the Dad for 10 months before he passed away. I am now the oldest in my family and am finding myself to be more insecure as I get older, just like<br />my Mom was before she passed away 10 years ago. <br />I know my husband has difficultly dealing with my memory loss that is caused my a medication I have to take. He is older than me, but still see's himself as younger. I don't mind being old, because I love being a grandma. :)<br />godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)comJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05293544374349342764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-11214397339613200842012-10-02T22:04:48.393-04:002012-10-02T22:04:48.393-04:00Glad you have you visit with us Laura and share yo...Glad you have you visit with us Laura and share your journey!Carrie Fancett Pagelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096954464239963966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-36473374596199134882012-10-02T21:22:40.358-04:002012-10-02T21:22:40.358-04:00Karen, You're so wise - and thoughtful! YES, p...Karen, You're so wise - and thoughtful! YES, pictures are so important! And I'm guilty of not taking enough of them but you've spurred me on to do that more often, especially with the holidays coming. Bless you for being here!Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-25327247421527891672012-10-02T21:15:20.505-04:002012-10-02T21:15:20.505-04:00what a beautiful posting, laura...i share your sen...what a beautiful posting, laura...i share your sentiments. enjoy every moment w/ your parents...and take lots of pictures :)<br /><br />karenk<br />kmkuka at yahoo dot com karenkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01059861255253991778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-65097729661993076112012-10-02T20:18:41.963-04:002012-10-02T20:18:41.963-04:00Carrie, Thanks again for hosting me here. Truly, i...Carrie, Thanks again for hosting me here. Truly, it's an honor. I'll be here tonight to check back in and also tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for making this posting so meaningful by your heartfelt comments!Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-75919244010885772542012-10-02T20:17:25.371-04:002012-10-02T20:17:25.371-04:00Abbi, That must be very hard for you - having live...Abbi, That must be very hard for you - having lived with you mom as an invalid or semi-invalid for so long. If it's any encouragement, I always thought I had a lot of patience - and then I had children and aging parents! If not for God's help, I couldn't do it. And I've failed too many times. Prayers with you and your mom and siblings that God will be right in the midst of your situation and give you all the strength (and longsuffering and patience) needed. Thanks so much for your heartfelt comments here.Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-86781610608719806722012-10-02T20:14:06.303-04:002012-10-02T20:14:06.303-04:00Noela, My heart goes out to you as those hurtful w...Noela, My heart goes out to you as those hurtful words stay with us but can be healed by God's grace. I know what you mean and will pray for your mom and you. You're so right that parents can become chiildish and hurtful, even spiteful, as they grow older. I try to remember that this is the illness talking or that old sin nature rearing its ugly head. Still, it hurts. God bless you as you try to respond in a Christlike way.Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-47056763305366869342012-10-02T20:11:23.990-04:002012-10-02T20:11:23.990-04:00Marissa, So happy you're in a season where you...Marissa, So happy you're in a season where you can love and appreciate your parents when they - and you - are younger and well. That's such a gift! Thanks for being here!Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-24450089367956638902012-10-02T10:29:31.851-04:002012-10-02T10:29:31.851-04:00I can only imagine how hard it is for your mom, to...I can only imagine how hard it is for your mom, too, Abbi. Because she has to rely on the very children she hoped to care for herself. And I imagine she has done the best she can. Will pray for you. Patience is indeed a virtue. And it can be cultivated. Carrie Fancett Pagelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096954464239963966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-8052835391307526522012-10-01T23:38:28.289-04:002012-10-01T23:38:28.289-04:00Really awesome reminder! My parents aren't eld...Really awesome reminder! My parents aren't elderly but my mom has been in a wheelchair my entire life which puts all of the work on the shoulders of the oldest in the house (currently my sis and me-though there are 4 older than us). I have to admit I am not patient in the least and I know it's something to I really need to work on. I'm careful to not complain in front of them but I often give my sibs an earful. Thank you for the encouragement to truly honor my parents at all times!<br />gatorade635(at)gmail(dot)comAbbi Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375569903870296913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-85065561448407600892012-10-01T22:36:12.682-04:002012-10-01T22:36:12.682-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Noela Nancarrownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8713519582170578996.post-15307594827882839092012-10-01T22:01:37.118-04:002012-10-01T22:01:37.118-04:00NOELA, I know you already have your plate full, li...NOELA, I know you already have your plate full, like me. My mom was getting really forgetful at the end but with the cancer and all I really believe that just aggravated everything and she was so weak. She did not say hurtful things, thank God, like some elderly parents do. My mom was a Kentucky lady, like Laura--didn't repeat gossip nor act ungraciously toward people. A great example to me and I wish I followed her ways better!<br />Carrie Fancett Pagelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096954464239963966noreply@blogger.com