I’m not sure you are sterotypical. I often feel the same way and I have yet to find another set of parents, until you, who lament the lack of an older generation in their children’s life.

When it was just the two of us, I wasn’t sad to live apart from our family. I felt like we were off on our own great adventure! Now that we have a baby I constantly wish my mom was nearby. Someone to work in the garden with, to ask baby questions, to talk with on the porch while shucking corn.

You make me wonder if instead of being sad about not living in the same state as my parents I could just find a local person. I’m not sure you can just ask to be part of your family, but perhaps I can encourage that type of relationship over time. Something to consider.

Almost three weeks ago I faced the possibility of the death of my mother, who was on life support for several days and in ICU for 2 weeks recovering. She is still in the hospital and will need more time at home to fully recover. I am hoping that facing her death will help her make peace with some things in her life, and it has certainly made me reassess several things in my life that I have been sweeping under the rug. I have gone through some depression which interestingly enough has come as she is improving.

What I have found the most interesting is that I have really needed to be outside. My modest suburban garden is expanding quicker than I intended this year because I have been trying to spend as much time as possible digging in the dirt.

Thank you.

I’d love to read that chapter/book you mention. I’ll look it up.