It's gotten to the point where they're no longer safe in their own house. Just a month ago, Grandpa had an awful fall that resulted in a broken pelvis and several cracked ribs. He seems to be mending okay, but even before this happened to him, he's in his 90s, he can no longer stand up straight, his eyesight is just about gone, and he's needed a cane to get around. And Grandma has battled cancer twice and was recently diagnosed with dementia.
Needless to say, Mom and her siblings are worried sick.
For now, Grandpa's staying in a rehabilitation center while my aunt and uncles take turns staying with Grandma. Since Grandma can't function on her own, and since it's becoming increasingly obvious that neither she nor Grandpa will ever be the same, there's been serious talk of selling their house. The house has been in the family for 60 years; Mom lived there since she was three. It won't be easy letting that house go, and one family member (I won't say who) had the audacity to ask for that house today, which puts a sickening knot in my stomach.
Furthermore, neither Grandma nor Grandpa will give up their independence without a fight. They're both adamant about staying where they are as long as possible, and Grandpa is not happy about where he's staying now. I can only imagine his reaction if he learned about the plans for his house, even though nothing is set in stone yet.
I know it's just a house. Still, that house holds a lot of memories (we spent a lot of Thanksgivings, Christmases, and Sunday dinners there) and as much as I hate seeing Grandma and Grandpa old and frail and hurting, I will definitely miss them when they go. The only comfort I draw is that Dad will be there to greet them. He was as much their son as Mom is their daughter and I'm sure it was a great shock when they learned of his sudden passing. At least they'll see him again, talk to him, and hug him a lot sooner than I will.
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