My biggest challenge is how do I care for my 85-year old mother and my 101 year old mother-in-law who are both 1200 miles away. The answer is very old fashioned – the telephone and the mail. My mother-in-law is very deaf; however, she can read without glasses and her long term memory is very good. I write to her every week letting her know how we are and reminding her of our next visit. When we are together, I communicate with her by writing on a pad of paper. She is very engaged and can answer my questions.
My mother is always so happy when I call her. She wants to know what I did that day,and I am always upbeat, also discussing memories of both her childhood and mine. We both look forward to the calls. She still does handwork and crochets beautiful pieces some of which I am using on my vintage pillows.
We are so blessed to still have these two wonderful ladies!!
ElderChicks 
It’s so good to know the art of actual letter writing still lives. This must mean the world to your mother-in-law, who, at 101 has earned a pass at using email! It’s the caring and the communication, in whatever form, that counts, isn’t it?
Sad,sad … I was born in 1930 and remember when everyone lived down the block or at least in the neighborhood and everyone got together for the holidays. This was before such things as car and airplane travel ….too bad that progress has come such a long way.
Thelma,
Yes, she very much looks forward to my letters. In fact, my younger son is also writing to her. I feel that it gives her something to look forward to each day. I keep reminding her when we will visit in order to give her something to live for when she knows we are coming to visit.
My mom is living in Florida and very hard to get to. She lives in her own home still and is 84. I’m trying to talk her into selling her house and moving into assisted living somewhere of her choosing, but it will be extermely hard to “be there for her” from Philadelphia and to get to her in Ocala. Any words of wisdom?
To have one’s memory in old age is such a gift. And I’m with you on the letter writing. Tied to emails nowadays, I love to get a letter now and then!
Oh, the letter writing, indeed! It’s especially good to know that her grandson is writing real letters to her.