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My mom is gone, grieving and pissed off (just a vent I guess)

JJPups
JJPups Member Posts: 13
Sixth Anniversary 5 Care Reactions First Comment
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10 years of dementia and the last three were exceedingly difficult and I feel I've been through a meat grinder (I am a different person now). I was the only person in the family (her only daughter) to step up and try to help navigate all of her care needs, as well as the legal and financial situation of my parents (both in their 80s). I was also a caregiver part-time providing her personal care, even when she became aggressive and resistant to our helping her. I worked a full-time job this whole time and spent down a lot of my vacation and sick leave in order to be there for her and dad. I ended up getting her into a decent nursing home where dad and I continued to care for her and visit her weekly. She died peacefully on hospice at the nursing home.

For some reason, my sibling and his spouse decided mom's death was a good time to insert themselves into the picture and actually showed up to the funeral home today wanting to give input on her funeral plans. (They seemed to invite themselves or dad told them to show up and may have kept that information from me in hopes of reconciliation). I was livid, since all of this time we have needed more care for mom and they showed little interest or initiative (even when I asked for help). I let them know that as I cared for my mom I would be planning the funeral. They are extremely self absorbed and I was told I do not communicate with my brother enough.

This is when I miss my mom the most as she would have called their bullshit by now and told dad her thoughts about it too. The family dynamics are completely different now. I will never regret having taken care of her though. She was a great mom and so much the reason I am the person that I am.

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  • H1235
    H1235 Member Posts: 2,342
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    I’m so sorry for your loss. I not only dread mom passing, but also having to deal with my very difficult brother when settling her estate. Family should be there for each other and make things easier. It’s such a shame when that’s not the case.

  • April23
    April23 Member Posts: 211
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    edited April 18

    Please accept my condolences on the loss of your beloved mother. It is so hard when the family dynamics make an already difficult situation even more so.

    My advice (which it sounds like you are already doing) is to set your boundaries and stick to them. Sometimes reconciliation just isn’t possible and if that’s the case, don’t try and force it for the sake of family dynamics. I wish you the best. It’s so hard.

  • eaglemom
    eaglemom Member Posts: 1,180
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    I am so sorry about your mom's passing. Sadly, what is happening with your brother & his wife showing up now isn't something new. Maybe he couldn't handle seeing his mom ill? Or whatever the reason (and frankly there is no good reason not to have been in her life) he's shown up now. You have two choices, as I see it. Take the high road and stick to your boundaries period. You are obligated to associate with him. Or two, after the services and some time has passed see if mutually the two of you can have a calm mature discussion - if you want. If not, that's fine. But now's now the time for that. You've done what you felt was best for both of your folks, of that you can be proud.

    eagle

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 3,421
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    so sorry for your loss and for you having to go through that at the funeral home. Your Mom was blessed to have you. Hugs. 🙏💜

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more