Quote Originally Posted by RICHARD View Post
Oh, I have no problems with people who do nursing....I do have a theory, It is harder to help someone close to you when you can "turn it off" when it comes to someone you don't know.

Just a thought.
I think you nailed it! My sister the nurse has always been the last one any of us in the family turn to for compassion because she seems so put out with us and cuts us short. She's always made us feel like were just complainers or hypochondriacs. That always upset my Mom and even my Dad before the dementia got worse (now he doesn't see my sister rolling her eyes or hear her sarcasm when he talks about how his knee hurts for the 10th time).

I know she'll be there in a serious crisis but when it comes to the day to day complaints and ailments of an elderly parent she just tunes them out.

It's a lot like my husband. He is a computer programmer/database admin. and works on computers all day but when I have a problem with my computer at home it's like pulling teeth to get him to look at it. I understand but if I need help, I need help - with my computer or with my Dad.

Apparently my life's profession is parent caretaker so I guess I'm helping my siblings with my expertise every day. Trying to be positive here.

~~~

Richard, I spent a lot of good times with my Mom before she died. We shared lots of secrets and really, she was my best friend. I know our talks and time together made her happy too and that is something I will have with me forever. When I think of my Mom those are the things that I remember first and not the spats with siblings about visiting more, etc. I can tell you I know a couple of my siblings have had real regrets about cutting a visit short, not visiting more often or not calling more. Those are the kinds of things you and I don't have to live with.