After 31 years in the same town where I graduated high school, my folks have made a big move, purchasing a home just two miles from ours. They join the growing trend of retirees opting to live closer to their families, especially to lend a hand in raising their grandkids.
Their eagerness to be near their two grandsons was so strong that my mom, who was still working, let my dad take the lead in house hunting without her. Now, she doesn’t have him chained to the couch or anything, but she’s the practical one while he dreams big. You can imagine the gamble she took by not being fully involved in picking their new place. They did have a couple of must-haves: 1) It had to be in our school district so the bus could drop off the boys for some grandparent spoiling, and 2) it needed to be a single story—no stairs to navigate in the future. Smart moves, right?
The house they selected was previously owned by an elderly couple. The husband had passed away, and while the wife managed for a while, her own health concerns necessitated a safer environment with nursing care. It’s hard to ignore the thought that one day I might have to help move my parents—or even worse, just one of them—out for similar reasons. But I’m pushing those thoughts aside; we’re just starting this new chapter, not closing the book. My mom is barely old enough to retire, and my dad is a few years away from full retirement, planning to work part-time until then. They’ve had a few minor health hiccups over the past decade, but they’re young grandparents ready to enjoy their new home and the closeness to us.
Today, their moving truck rolled into the driveway, and it all feels so real. I’m imagining holidays where we don’t have to drive four hours back and forth, and my husband, our boys, and I can take short trips without worrying about kennel arrangements since my mom is basically a pet whisperer. We plan to garden together and plant fruit trees in their spacious backyard, reminiscent of the mini orchard she had at their old place. And when we travel to visit extended family or explore new spots, we’ll be a lively group, embracing the delightful chaos that comes with family adventures. I can’t wait to show them the stunning Victorian houses in Cape May, the fresh produce stands on the way to the beach, and the local swim club where our boys are like little fish in water. Seriously, the possibilities are endless!
And when the time comes that my parents need our support, we’ll be right there, ready to help. They’ve been so selfless throughout my life, and this monumental step of leaving behind their familiar surroundings to start anew in their golden years is something I can never truly express my gratitude for. But trust me, I’ll be making the effort every single day.
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination and fertility journeys, you can check out this post on intracervical insemination or learn more at Make a Mom, a fantastic resource for couples. And for further information on pregnancy, you can visit UCSF’s IVF page.
Summary:
In this heartfelt reflection, Emily Johnson shares her parents’ recent move to be closer to family. Despite the underlying worries about future health needs, the excitement of shared experiences, adventures, and a new chapter unfolds. The piece encapsulates gratitude for their sacrifices and the joys of family life, while also linking to valuable resources on home insemination and fertility.