I was talking to my father on the phone today. He is in his 90's. He had to go somewhere and walk up a couple of flights of stairs because the elevator was out. The guy behind him worked there and held onto his back so he would not fall. My father felt that he did not need his help.

Some people need help. I told my father, if someone wants to help you, accept it.

I think it’s a pride thing some times. I see this in my Dad who turned 90, but he is
learning to accept help more graciously.

Cat, nice to hear that your 90 year old father is doing good on his own. Funny about him not wanting help because he doesn't need it. I say, good for him!

Merry Christmas to you and your father

Thanks rosie. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Bastet

Everyone has seen how I joke around about frivolous things, body functions, poor brain matter, etc. I own it and it's all true.....

My father however, was one of the most amazing people I ever knew. A POW in North Korea(very very rough), and an American Airlines pilot who saved near 1300 lives in his career from avoiding other jets in his flight pattern, to jumping over a Braniff 747 with a DC-10 that was in the middle of his designated runway when he was trying to land... The FAA thanked him. That NEVER happens....passengers too..... He was offered much, but didn't take it.

If he couldn't fix something, it couldn't be fixed. I put that on his Epitaff/Tombstone along with "best pilot in the world".

I'm not saying this to brag on my father....
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I don't mind saying with staunch, that he is a winner and it would be impossible to fill his shoes. I Never will ,and it's OK. I have done absolutely impossible things to survive in impossible places in far off lands, but nothing was ever good about it... to my knowledge, I didn't save anyone.....
You might say I'm the opposite, even to death/birth. I was hatched on May 27th at 06:00, he passed at November 27th 18:00.... strange indeed!

Remarkable man... he'd joke about the same silly stuff I did, but when I did it, he didn't think it was funny. That in itself is hilarious to me. We were never friends. I respected him tremendously, and even though I walked on eggshells all the time, he was/is my hero... super-herc he said smiling, being silly so many years ago (superman-hercules) he didn't joke much with me.

Reason I'm saying this is; he got incontinence and dementia followed. It was crushing to see. This amazing proud man having to put up with this! It's something that will never be funny. The dementia tortured him, as he had pretty much a photographic memory.... He had been pretty rough on me at times, physically overboard, POW schitt yanno. but it was common back then...

I forgave him, and to my surprise, and dementia left immediately when that happened. That minute. Very strange! but It needed to for this I guess. Glad it did. For the last three days of his life dementia came in and out, but we actually became friends.... I didn't see that coming. I always wished for that earlier through life, but I'll take it. He wished that time would have come sooner, but he just didn't know how to get to that spot. Three days is better than no days.

Duane Eddy's "Rebel Rouser" Would be his Swan Song. one of my favorites.

Thanks for sharing, darkowl.

I'm humbly honored, thank you.

I think it's a good thing to talk to those who are passing for both peace of mind. I see so many people who didn't, and the last thing they said to the other haunts them til they pass.

my dad fought in the Korean war

I am a senior and its do hard to meet people my age ....

Older people want to be independent as Long as they can.

Unfortunately, some need help Before they are ready to accept help.

Some older people are comfortable living with their Children.

But most want their Own living space .

This is my opinion.


I've worked around many seniors.

The Other day I boarded the bus, where to young man ? Said the driver , town centre says I , 15 mins later I arrived, as I was getting off a guy stood back and said come on pops !,

Made you feel old. huh !

The first time I was called Mam, and really about the only time, I was about 20-years-old and the guy was about 2 years older than me!

I felt like banging the back of his heel with my shopping trolly

God willing... one day we will all be in their shoes...
Stop and think.... How will you react? I can hear you saying ..
" I will accept the help" that is your "now" persona... not your 80 or 90 yr old
persona...
Be kind.. ask if they need help..
if they say no... stand by..
Just in case.. If they need you, you are there .. if not... give a smile and walk away