FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS
Observing My Parents As They Age
Loving each other through transitions
I grew up pretty blessed as a white, middle-class, Canadian girl of European descent in a small city and even smaller neighbourhood.
We didn’t have tons of money growing up, but I always knew my parents loved each other and that they loved us.
Mom and I have a more contentious relationship than Dad and I, but I’ve resolved some of that, and our relationship is in a pretty good place right now.
My parents have been married 52 years, and at the end of September, it will be 53.
As I have grown into an adult, there were ups and downs in their marriage, with Mom’s health and Dad’s job change, as one example, but even with the stress, I never worried about divorce or separation.
My parents had a decent model for what a marriage is and should be, including making up in front of us if they got into an argument and my sister and I were around.
This taught me that resolving issues is possible in romantic relationships, to the point where you can move on and even be happy again. At least that’s what my child self thought every time it happened.
