The whole argument about how our parents changed our diapers and cared for us when we were babies is a bunch of bull. When our parents were young (younger than most of us here) they wanted to start a family. They were in love and wanted a child to love and to create a family. Once mom got pregnant it was a joyous occasion and mom and dad looked forward to those 9 months with great anticipation and joy. And then this little itty bitty person was born, completely dependent, and was fed and hugged and loved for many, many years. Mom and dad worked very hard to help shape that little person into someone who was good and kind and respectful and polite and moral, learning many lessons along the way. Eventually that little person grew up, went to college, moved out and started a life of their own and this too was a momentous occasion. Mom and dad had done their job well and were very proud of the family they created, raised, and watched as their child continued down it's own path.
This is NOT the same thing as bringing mom or dad into our homes so we can care for them because they cared for us when we were little. We didn't come to them with fully formed personalities, we didn't come to them out of the womb with personality defects and dementia. As babies we didn't argue with them when they tried to change our diapers, we didn't curse them either. We didn't accuse them of stealing from us and as babies we didn't leave the house to wander down the street in freezing cold weather with only our p.j.'s on.
It is NOT the same thing.
MIL has a delightful outlook on life, she could always make you smile and laugh, found humor in everything. Even though her son and I parted ways 20 years ago after 20 years of marriage, MIL was and is still a part of my life :)
Hard to break traditional family habits.
Non-the-less, after goggling this substance it's still questionable... We have so many toxins in and around us every day that it's difficult to rid of (or try to control). (thank you for your comment Pam)
In my humble opinion, I believe some of the cancers are from us Americans eating so much red meat... and with red meat containing growth hormones and antibiotics to make the livestock grow faster so that the ranchers can get them to market quicker, some of that has to get into our system. And look around us, today's 5 year old child looks 7 or 8.... today's 15 year old looks 18.
PStern... Be more specific with your comments
We all know what our limitation are, and we all want the best care for our parent/spouse, even if it means placing them into a place where they can get that professional care. Caregiving is highly stressful, and 1 out 3 Caregivers die leaving behind their parent/spouse. I think our parent/spouse rather see us couple times a week then never again.
If you had any faith at all you should know to honor thy mother and father.
i'm just saying...
I once worked with a woman whose parents were well off. While growing up, she wanted for nothing. She told me one day she hoped when her parents retire that they don't travel to expensive places around the world, because they'd be spending her inheritance. I told her maybe they might become sick and will need that money for their own care. She said she hopes they die before that time comes. She expected a nice inheritance and told me she is not willing to care for them in their old age.
The sad part is, she is not a tiny minority. There are far too many selfish people like her in this world. I have heard of people who will not put their parent(s) in a nursing home, not because they or the parent haven't the money, but they refuse to spend the money. The parent lives in an unhappy environment because their selfish children will not put them where they will be cared for and treat the parent with resentment at home.
I wish my parents would spend the money they saved for all those rainy days on themselves.... buy the best life has to offer.... don't save it for me to inherit, as I have already saved for myself. I live below my means, as the Joneses are too far into debt :0
In fact, I told my Dad that he and Mom might outlive me, so for them to enjoy their estate, plan ahead.... Dad looked at me like my hair was on fire.... [sigh]
I said, " .. depending on the government has led us here, to this untenable and unforgivable state."
And, by that, I mean: as a society/as a whole, we've come to rely on government to provide FOR us. I'm not a proponent of dispensing with government aid programs, I'm a proponent of people taking responsibility for themselves.
Hope that helps clear up my perspective.