Craftbug

What?!?! You don't like Chocolate!?!?!?!

I love chocolate.  I have to admit though that I don't eat it as much as I did when I was younger.  I still like it but I guess I just don't crave it as much.

My husband's family doesn't and didn't eat it as much as I did.  If I made any kind of chocolate dessert for a family gathering I was teased about it. My husband likes milk chocolate but doesn't care for cakes or pies, etc....  The teasing I never understood.  I never made fun of any of them about their flavor preferences.  Just because I like something and they don't does not give them the right to tease.  They eat things that I will never put in my mouth...hog lungs, cow stomach, hog brains, pickled pigs feet, souse...you get the picture.

I even mentioned have a bakery/candy store with made-from-scratch chocolate goodies and calling it "Everything's Chocolate".  My mother-in-law said, "Not everyone loves chocolate like you do".  I know not everyone loves chocolate but there are a lot of chocolate lovers out there.  I know I shouldn't let this bother me but for people that believe in treating people decently, they sure don't mind making fun of me and my tastes. 

My point in all this rambling is that you shouldn't make fun of someone just because they like or dislike a particular thing.  My taste in music and home decor and many other things are not the same as my family and in laws. 

Getting Older

We all know that we will get older.  When we are young it seems so far away.  We also think that we will be able to do the same things we did when we were young with the same gusto and vigor. 

My mother just turned 70 years old this month.  She is still pretty spunky.  She does all her own housework and cooking and shopping and helping with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, etc., etc., etc....but she is slowing down a bit.  She has her ailments and health issues.  She knows her limitations, however, and does rest in between all this as she sees fit.  I know the day will come when she won't be able to do all she does and will need help.  I am preparing myself for that day.  I know she won't ask for help until she needs it.  I'm ready.  It will be her turn to be taken care of.  She has taken care of so many of us over the years.

On the other hand, my mother-in-law is 71 years chronologically.  Physically, she's probably about 90 years old.  She has been in the hospital for 4 days now and just came home this afternoon.  She is very frail and until now was doing almost everything for herself.  She does not want to give up her freedom or independence.  She is somewhat stubborn in that area.  She has "stuff" that she doesn't want to part with.  She doesn't need this "stuff" as it has been in boxes and unused for years.  Still, I can understand where she's coming from.

I'm sure that neither my mother or mother-in-law expected things to turn out the way they did.  No one knows how old-age will be for them.  I think we assume that we will be able to carry on as usual.  I know from watching my family members that this will not be the case.  I'm sure you all have the same experience in your lives.  We just have to be ready to take care of the ones that took care of us for so many years...and do it with love and no bitterness and no complaining.  That's what you do for family.