They Are Not Who They Once Were

July 3, 2020

They Are Not Who They Once Were

In most recent years I’ve had to face a reality that I’m not sure if it causes me sadness or pain; or maybe both. That’s why I’m here, writing about it, looking to feel like I’m not alone in this.

So, here’s the truth and reality: my (our) parents are getting older and they are not who they once were. I told you, sad and painful.

Maybe, the reason why this truth hurts, it’s because as I’ve grown up, I never updated my parent’s perception. I decided (for my own good) to keep over the years the perception I had about them as a child.

My parents were strong. My parents were agile. My parents were confident. My parents were flexible.My parents were independent. My parents were bold. My parents were healthy.

My mom was diagnosed with arthritis when I was 15 and since then I’ve been seeing her deal with that painful burden; including two major surgeries. My dad has always been apprehensive, but this pandemic has transformed that into a diagnosed anxiety. Yet, it’s not only about their health.

They have become more emotionally fragile and slower in taking action or reacting to situations. They have become hesitant about making decisions and embracing uncertainty. They have become stiff in their routines and way of thinking and executing. They have become fearful about life and it’s risks.

Therefore, I’m here to tell myself (and you) that this process not only is normal, but that it won’t get better and that that’s okay.

I’m here to tell myself (and you) that my (our) parents will keep needing help to start a WhatsApp conversation with an unsaved contact or to purchase something online. They will keep worrying about me (you) living alone. They will keep asking for your opinion on whether they should contract this or that phone plan or internet service. They will keep making recommendations based on what worked for them.

More importantly, I’m here to tell me (you) that I (you) might need to take a deep breath when I (you) feel like I’m (you’re) running out of patience, but that I’m (you’re) going to be there for them.

Unapologetic Thoughts

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About Me

A thirty-something-years old particular character. She is an spirited and determined person who tends to feel deep and think deeper. She finds comfort in planning and struggle with uncertainty. She believes in looking on the bright side, embracing challenges, being stubborn about goals and in striving for excellence instead of perfection.

She finds peace in sunsets, in long car rides and in seating in front the sea. She collects quotes, speeches, movie lines, song lyrics or anything that speaks truth in a powerful and succinct way. She is passionate about reading and writing as a way to connect herself to the world and letting the world connect with her.

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favorite quote

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat

Theodore Roosevelt