To every thing there is a season... but it's sure hard to accept that when the thing you're talking about is someone you love. My mom hasn't been well for a few years - she's had congestive heart failure since a major heart attack in December of 1995 (if you've read the book you know!)and the condition is taking a toll on her. She'll be 87 in December so I know she's had a lot more time on this planet than a lot of us will ever hope to have but life is such a hard thing for some of us to let go of and yet others seem to have no problem in throwing it away. Hmmm, go figure. Every day she struggles just to get out of bed and 'do' something. I admire her so much for her determination to live each day to the best of her ability. Today she said she's 'tired' and ready to rest. For the first time in as long as I can recall she stayed in bed to eat the lunch I made her. She appreciates the little things so much now - a car ride, a foot rub, a scrambled egg and toast... No, old age certainly isn't for sissies and I'm so grateful to come from such sturdy stock!