Family Relations: How do I accept and adjust to family moving away?

Posted by normawatkins @normawatkins, Sep 7, 2022

I am 92. My only family, a son and his wife of 22 years are planning to move to her native country where I would not be able to migrate. Their expressed reasons for moving are to be near her siblings (after living 40 years elsewhere), political unrest in the U.S., and "just want a change". I am in good health, live independently, and make few demands on them, but we stay in touch by phone and e-mail, as I live 25 miles from them. We have always had a very good relationship. I cannot afford an Assisted Living facility as I age. How can I deal with this situation fairly and realistically? At present I am devastated and feel abandoned by my only loved ones. How can I accept this with understanding?

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EllAmster | @ellamster | Sep 15, 2022

@normawatkins
Dear Norma.
Hang in there!
Keep that positive energy 💖
With more and more sharing personal experiences this might be tricky. Concentrate on the love you have for one another, the positive energy that flows through you when you think of the clever and fun solutions, the joy you feel when you think about the fact that all parties are able and willing to be there for one another.
Hang in there! Here's Doctor Katz for you 😊

sheri728 | @sheri728 | Sep 22, 2022

I too was faced with a situation like this. It is difficult to be without them but it gets easier. Find effective ways to communicate such as facetime, google meet, duo or some other form of real time social media. This does make it a lot easier and if you have grandchildren you would be able to continue to communicate with them as well. I am sorry that you are facing such a situation right now. I initially just looked at the positive reasons and outlook as to why my loved ones were leaving at the time..this helped me free my mind. I didn't let them know I felt abandoned or was angry and feeling alone and left out. I made it about them, and that way I kept my sanity about the situation and continue to do so.