The Coastal Grandmother Reinvents Herself Once More!
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
How can this be? I have lived in Virginia for over fifty years and now to up and move to another state at 84 years old. Have I started to lose my marbles or what? Actually, most of my friends and I have been having the conversation of, “how to age in place”, for at least a year or more. It seems when you turn eighty, you realize that you may need to reevaluate your needs for the future. I am blessed to have good health and a relatively sound mind, however, I realize more and more that I simply cannot do what I used to be able to. Not only that, but if I stepped off a curb, broke my ankle and could not drive, I would be stuck! My daughter lives near by, but she is extremely busy with her career and family.
My son, on the other hand, retired on disability a few years ago after the seventh surgery on a foot he injured in a fall while in construction. Most of my followers know that he lost his wife to triple negative breast cancer a year and a half ago. That is when he decided to move to Tennessee to be near his son and family. He bought a lovely ranch style home on five acres. The first time I went out to visit, he jokingly said, “mom, we could put you a cute little house on the back of the property”. My daughter did not think that was the least bit funny! She would tear up anytime we talked about it.
Time to Pray About It
As always, I realized that I needed God to show me what I should do. I am blessed to be equally close to both my children, and that both of them want me close by. I didn’t have to wait long because my sweet daughter called one morning shortly after that and said, “mom I have been praying about you, and God has shown me that Buck needs you right now, and it would be selfish of me to want to keep you here. Not only that, but I think it would be the right thing for you”. She said, “and by the way, if you do decide to move, Landen (my grandson) and his wife would like to buy your condo”! I was so grateful. I love my condo, and I love the thought of them having it. God is so faithful to answer our prayers.
I went out to visit my son in May. I had decided I would stay a month and get a feel for what it would be like to live there. It is in the mountains and much more remote than I am used to. It is about 45 minutes from Knoxville. There is a really cute little town called Crossville that is only 20 minutes away. I found a bridge group there to play with (you know I love bridge!). My son and I had a great time just “hanging out” and doing things together. As I have mentioned before, he is a great cook, and it was so nice just to have someone to share dinner with each night (I miss that).
I bought a modular home with three bedrooms and two full baths. It is a farmhouse style, and I just love it! My son is in the middle of a full remodel on his house, and also a full remodel on the lake house we bought back in December, so, he just did not have time to build a house for me. He had looked at the modular homes and was impressed with how well they are built. It has nine foot ceilings and solid oak cabinets. I really feel it will be my best opportunity to stay independent and yet be close enough to one of my children that they are right there if I need them.
I realized when I started writing this that I have not posted in quite a long time. I apologize for that. Life just got in the way. As for my relationship with Mike, it did not work out in the long run. Suffice it to say, we decided we are much better as just friends. We still play bridge together, and I will always think of him as someone special.
I hope if you or a family member is considering options for “aging in place”, you will find the perfect solution for you. There are certainly a number of choices out there, you just have to decide what will be the best for you and where you will be happy. I am excited for this new chapter in my life. I am always up for new adventures! Oh, and my daughter and I have decided that we will meet at the lake house regularly. It is only four hours for each of us. That, and the holidays, will give us dedicated time together.
Comments