Last night my mother told me that she wants to visit her childhood home. This seems like a simple enough request. She grew up about 4 hours (by car) from here. We could take a few days and go there and back. The problem is that there is not really a home left there. The old house is gone. All of the people are gone. The farm is now rented out to someone who grows hay and peanuts. It is a totally different place than the home she was raised in.
Other technical problems include having to board the rabbits at the vet's, which will probably cost about $100 a day. My mother can't walk very well, so there is really nothing she could do after we got there. All there would be to do is to stop and look over the land that was once her home.
She is talking about bringing home her mother's old sewing machine. I doubt seriously it is still down there and don't know how we would get it (with table) back if it was. I don't know where we would put it in this old cluttered house.
My mother has been thinking much of her childhood days lately. I'm sure it is because her life is nearing its end and dementia has taken a toll. Most of the things she wants to do now make no sense to someone who knows how things are. I know that this trip makes no sense and would be hard on her and me. Still I am torn about whether to do it or not.
I don't think any satisfaction would come from taking her on that trip to the old homestead. Maybe you can tell her that one of your cousins got the sewing machine and is using it, so it isn't there anymore.
Made me wish I hadn't gone back to see the house :(
I really appreciate the answers. My mother has wanted to do this once or twice in the past, and I am always torn. I'm never sure if I am being unreasonable and selfish. It helps to read what others think.