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Thankful for Mom's Progress - Gratitude From Our Multi-Gen Home

By
Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

 

Mom is doing well. It's such a relief too. We were all concerned that the loss of dad would be devastating to her. After all, they had been together for seventy-two years, seventy of those as married couple. Prior to his death, she frequently expressed anxiety and fear about what life would look like without him in it.  It's understandable. 

 

On November 13th, it will have been two months since dad died. Really not too long in the greater scheme of things. However, mom is rocking her transition into life as a widow. She has a new library card and is listening to books on CD. It's fun to hear the various story-tellers voices emanating from her sitting room.  One story has a protagonist named Bernie, it can create comical moments when Bernie wanders by and hears his name. 

 

Yesterday, she agreed to try a Qigong video for beginners on YouTube. She loved it! (Thanks Ron and Alexandra Seigel ).  We will also be looking for a class to attend together - mom and me, and maybe Bernie.  She used to take Tai Chi classes, so Qigong is right up her alley. It will be a good experience for all of us. The most wonderful aspect is her willingness to try at the age of 91.  

 

Mom's love of sports has also been a gift. She often watches the games downstairs with my brother-in-law. They are both fans of most all sports and enjoy the camaraderie.  My sister isn't big a fan, and generally works on a puzzle while they hoot and holler at the TV.  Mom often shares the outcome of the game with us when she comes back upstairs - enthusiastically espousing the highlights and starring players. 

 

Our multi-generational home and lifestyle is giving her the support and comfort she needs right now. Hurray. We are so grateful. 

 

(This post is an entry into Debbie's Active Rain Thanksgiving Challenge) 

Posted by


Debb Janes  Bernie Stea
Brokers/REALTORS®
Call or Text 360-608-4900

We help buyers and sellers in Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie/Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Felida, and other Vancouver, Washington Areas. 


We bring our passion for nature and beautiful environments to Real Estate. Multigenerational and family estates, country land and homes, and small farmsteads are our speciality.


We agree with our clients, "The true luxury of rural living is having elbowroom for the soul.

 

Comments(25)

Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Not sure that will every happen in our house, but I'm okay if it needs to.  I love both my parents and in laws bunches.

Nov 03, 2018 10:25 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Hi Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD, so glad to hear your mom is doing well. I'm sure being surrounded by loved ones helps a lot. Definitely, something to be thankful for.

Nov 03, 2018 11:00 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I cannot believe your mom is 91. She looks fabulous. Look at her all decked out in blue! And still tackling new things. She must be such an inspiration to you and Bernie.

Nov 03, 2018 11:12 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debb,

Your mom looks beautiful.I am so glad she liked the video, we do it every evening before going to bed.  As we learned more about Qigong last week, it is the health version of TaiChi.  One of our teachers was at an intensive training in Santa Fe the last two weeks, and she was just stunned at the miracles she witnessed.  I am sure she will go into more detail next time we see her.  A

Nov 03, 2018 12:27 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Your Mom looks great and I am so happy to hear that she is transitioning well.  Sounds like she is finding plenty of fun to keep her occupied!

Nov 03, 2018 12:58 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Hi Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD - Your mom is absolutely beautiful! She looks great for her young at heart age. What I'm most proud of is you and how you had the vision to create this multi-generational living and it's working! You are a trend setter that I hope many will follow for their own aging parents. 

Everyone handles grief differently. I wish I had support when I needed it the most, but it wasn't there. However, I have no regrets and I was much younger. I'm convinced, that when you are part of a family, there has to be a lot of give and take and role reversals. Your parents raised you well and I know it couldn't have always been easy on you but you figured things out and you really are a remarkable woman. 

May your family be blessed in abundance and continue to share a life of many good memories. I wish you all happy holidays and a good life. By the way, I love that your mom and your brother-in-law share a special bond when it comes to sports. My grandma was always in the kitchen cooking and cleaning, but when the fights came on T.V., she'd drop her apron and go watch the wrestling match. Why? I'll never know. As a kid, I was more entertained by watching grandma, than watching two guys that looked like they were fighting in their underwear. 

Nov 03, 2018 01:02 PM
Debb Janes

Your making me laugh with the reference to guys fighting in their underwear. Lol. Thanks for the kind comment, Patricia. You are always so gracious with your commenting. D 

Nov 04, 2018 08:39 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Debb and Bernie- Debb- you can see it in your mom's eyes and her smile!  You are so very lucky!!! This brings back memories of growing up in my home. My grandmother and I had a lot in common and I spent so many hours watching her cook. 

Good for your mom for trying new things, especially Qigong. My aunt did Tai Chi for years and she loved it. 

Nov 03, 2018 03:01 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Your mother seems in remarkable shape for 91 years, Debb and Bernie - And, 72 years of marriage is quite the accomplishment.

Nov 03, 2018 03:43 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

That is good news, I was unaware and sorry for your loss Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD . Your mom looks great for 91

Nov 03, 2018 04:11 PM
Francine Viola
Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Olympia WA - Olympia, WA
REALTOR®, In Tune with your Real Estate Needs

That is hilarious about your mom's sports fanship as my mom (who is 86) is the same way!  She lives with us so she and my husband are always talking football.  

Nov 03, 2018 04:55 PM
Debb Janes

Oh too bad we're not closer, Francine Viola . We could drop them off at a local sports bar once a week. Lol. 

Nov 04, 2018 08:37 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

I love this post Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD and your mother looks fabulous!  You are all so fortunate to have one another to lean on and love, support each other. 

Nov 03, 2018 07:53 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Debb and Bernice,  That is so good to hear about your mother.  We listen to books all the time when we drive to Yellowstone of the Black Hills.  Mysteries are great.  Glad that she is into sports also and has your brother in law to watch them with.  Happy for your whole family!  

Nov 04, 2018 07:55 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Debb, I echo what others have said, your Mom is beautiful. She is also very strong, 72 years together is literally a lifetime. I admire her strength and the support your multi-gen home provides her. It made me smile that she really gets into games, that's just plain cool.

Nov 04, 2018 11:15 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Debe, your mom looks great for 91.  Great genes for sure.  Glad everything is working out for the entire family.

Nov 04, 2018 05:27 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

What a happy story and so glad she is finding a new normal that includes exercising her mind and her body. What a lovely home life you all have.

Nov 04, 2018 07:06 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

HI Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD - your mom looks fabulous.   I am sure that her positive demeanor is because of multi-gen living.  You and your sister are close by and that soothes her soul.  Your dad is smiling from above.

Nov 08, 2018 12:03 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

HI Debb... your Mom is beautiful and I am so happy she is doing well and adjusting well to the loss of your Dad... 72 years together is an amazing number of years to reflect upon.

Nov 10, 2018 07:31 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Debe, this tribute to your mom is so loving and sweet. She looks beautiful. I hadn't heard of Qigong but it sounds like something we could all practice as we grow older. As a family that grew up on sports, I can relate to the raised voices shouting at the television. I'm glad she is adjusting; it's always a concern when you lose a loved one. I'm sorry for the loss of your Dad; happy you have a multi-gen family to get you all through it.

Nov 10, 2018 09:37 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, your Mom is so beautiful and it's so good to see her wonderful smile. How very lucky she is to have you there for her and the multi-generational home is suiting you all wonderfully. 

Happy Saturday!

Nov 24, 2018 04:15 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD I love the idea of multi-generational living and I'm hoping my kids do too .

Nov 25, 2018 02:40 PM