Mental Decline & Dependency/Coping With Aging Loved Ones

Good news, Walter, and a moving story.

What a transformation the house will see!

Congratulations, and best wishes from us.

The house still is as it has been - that 'ultra-modern design' will be added inside, just in some rooms, the outside and the historic interior will be restored and restored like it has been in 1904.
(Those photos are from the apartment, the two live in now. It has been his masterpiece in 2002 - and it really is a surprising work, even today!)


Well, talked with daughter-in-law and son today (and before) a lot about that.
Seems, she imprisoned in her bad feelings against me and that she has to built up an "own world" ...

I had a sister who created her own world, as well based on feelings of resentment toward me. I hope that your sister can find her way back to the "real" world.

We've talked a lot about this. Her son and daughter-in-law have sincere doubts .... but it really can be possible, with professional help.

Don't count on it,Walter (if I may be so intrusive). Just be as fulfilled as you can be with or without others.

This sounds good to me, the part about the house.

When I first met you, Walter, back in Chicago in 2006, I had been back to my old neighborhood in Evanston, walking around and talking with a childhood friend. I had loved that friend and her sisters' house - it still means a lot to me as my entry into how bigger families lived, and entry into what are now old fashioned quaint practices like bobbing for apples, or making caramel apples, or playing parlor games or setting up 'carnivals' in yards, having big christmas trees. The old friend told me the house had been sold not that long ago, after the parents' deaths, and to people who appreciated the house and treat it well.
It's not the same situation for me as yours is for you, but I feel good that that house is taken care of.

Interesting statement about the spiritual nature of "houses". I'd like to read poetry and philosophy of the meaningfulness of houses: it goes far beyond matters of architecture and real estate, doesn't it?

Yes, certainly for me.

My mother-in-law has been in hospice for two weeks now. She has cancer (lymphoma) and was in considerable pain. The doctors gave her "days or weeks." She is heavily medicated, sleeping most of the time. I hope she doesn't have to stay in this condition too much longer.

I do hope, Swimpy, that all and everything comes to a good end!

My best wishes for all of you!

Driving now to our house, a completely empty building by now.
Opening the doors with my own keys for the last time, going through the some 30 rooms ... and then, I'll have breakfast with the new owners (who became really friends by now).

The wheel turns.

That's wonderful that you have become friends with the new owners, Walter.

A hard time for her, I'm glad she is now well medicated. Thinking of you and Mr. Swimp.

Good transition, it sounds like, Walter.

I think it's hardest on Mr. Swimpy. He's an only child. His mom's only sister lives in northern Minnesota and too elderly to make the trip.

She's so thin. She's always been a plump woman, but she's just a rack of bones now. Hard to watch her waste away.

Yes.. I understand.

It's not easy ...

s'very hard