Sunday, December 05, 2010

Getting old

There's a phrase I recall from various American detective series I watched in my youth: justifiable homicide. After spending less than 24 hours with the in-laws I am of the opinion that there is not a court in the land that would convict Father-in-law if he murdered his wife.

Mother-in-law has a lung condition and she needs and is supposed to be on oxygen 24 hours a day. But she's stubborn and refuses to use it all the time. As a result her brain doesn't get enough oxygen and her short-term memory is all but gone. That's bad enough but she's also getting nasty with father-in-law, who has had a couple of strokes himself and isn't in perfect health.

And this has all happened fairly recently, or at least, it's worsened rapidly.

Father-in-law is worried about his own memory and not being able to look after his wife, and just takes it all quietly. My two sisters-in-law both live nearby and are being run off their feet - although Mother-in-law will tell you that no-one's been near her for days even though they'll have seen her earlier that day.

There are times I'm glad I'm an orphan.

6 comments:

mrsnesbitt said...

How sad.

Liz Hinds said...

It is, Denise.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Very very sad Liz ... Very sorry to hear about your in-laws health too..

Furtheron said...

How ever there are times when I'm sad my Mum and Dad both died relatively young and aren't here to share Christmas etc. with us

Steve Hayes said...

As the Rolling Stones used to sing "what a drag it is getting old" -=- and you can tell by looking at them that it's true.

Liz Hinds said...

THanks, anne.

It's been so long I don't really remember, furtheron, and don't miss it.

You certainly can, steve!