Old, alone and far
By Laureen
@BH0elmereen (826)
Baguio, Philippines
June 28, 2018 11:05am CST
At 92,my grandmother lives alone in our old house at the province - 3 hours bus ride and 1 hour hike. We recently visited her trying to convince her to come with us so we can tend to her since she can't barely see and has weak knees, but she is firm on staying 50 kilometers away from us, she has that pride. :)
Home for the aged are not a thing here in our place, bringing me to thoughts like, how about you where will you be staying at that age?
14 people like this
12 responses
@saurabhrmp (2283)
• Hyderabad, India
28 Jun 18
I know old people dont want to stay with us as they dont want to live with us. I think they thought that they will loose their respect if they will live with us. Even my parents are not staying with us. Here facilities are better then that place and even medical things are also much better then that place, but still they wont stay with us.
1 person likes this
@saurabhrmp (2283)
• Hyderabad, India
28 Jun 18
@paigea ; My grandmother is not alive. Due to my job I am staying very far from my parents and family. But, I am talking to them almost daily and now a days video call service also will never feel you that you are very far from family.
1 person likes this
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
29 Jun 18
@saurabhrmp yes that's true, no matter how we try to explain to them, their line of thinking is not inclined to ours.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
29 Jun 18
@BH0elmereen That is true. Our family too, stays in a compound. That is why, they always group to share stories, in my parents' house which is in the middle of the compound.
1 person likes this
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
29 Jun 18
@SIMPLYD this brought about a discussion a responded just recently on happiness. We indeed have different happiness, and for our grandma, staying where they built a family is HAPPINESS.
1 person likes this
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
29 Jun 18
@SIMPLYD good for them, that they are near each other. ours is kilometers away.
1 person likes this
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
28 Jun 18
@AKRao24 maybe... Or can we start a mindset right at this younger age that we can depend on our children, giving them a chance ti care back.. ??
1 person likes this
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
28 Jun 18
@AKRao24 yes they sure are... Would we age that way, like the attitude of "i still can manage... " even though its very evident that they cant...
1 person likes this
@nela13 (59365)
• Portugal
29 Jun 18
@BH0elmereen it is understandable, I wouldn't like too.
1 person likes this
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
29 Jun 18
@nela13 This is making us think about how we will be in like, 60 years from now.
1 person likes this
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
28 Jun 18
@nela13 yes some prefer to not stay on nursing homes
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29882)
• Manila, Philippines
29 Jun 18
Hi Laureen. Your grandma does not want to be a burden to anyone maybe that is why she opted not to stay with you. When I grow old, maybe I will do the same but I hope I still have my husband with me. 
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29882)
• Manila, Philippines
29 Jun 18
@BH0elmereen hahaha. Yes, my friend. Are you married, Laureen?
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
29 Jun 18
@mlgen1037 that makes most sense, having someone other than our children is the best. Yes me too I pray that we enjoy our old days together. Maybe it's high time to start a healthy diet. lol
1 person likes this
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
29 Jun 18
@Ladanger that's one of a necessity to prepare off. I am 32 and I am slowly expanding our own home to suit us both (with my husband) when we get older.
1 person likes this
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
28 Jun 18
@amadeo sure thing! How about watching your great grandchild giggle in the morning, relaxing just waiting for the food to be served... Like they pampered me when i was a child and now she don't to be pampered. :(
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
28 Jun 18
@JohnRoberts we all are hoping for it... But i still cant start my healthy diet. Hmmmm
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
1 Jul 18
@BH0elmereen
I can understand if she comes to live with you then she gives up her independence so she wants to stay put. I do not think that far ahead. What I want is to be here for my cat and make sure I do not go before she does.
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
29 Jun 18
@WriterAl that's the spirit. And yes, we have to prepare for our plans on how to spend our time, we should be well and fit to go about it. Im encouraging myself to start healthy living now... join me!
@BH0elmereen (826)
• Baguio, Philippines
28 Jun 18
@dya80dya yes they are surely stubborn on staying just there. Are you gonna stay with your children/other family or on your own when you retire at 60? :)
