Parents
One of the biggest side effects of middle age, besides obsessing about health and the fragility of life in general, is the anxiety related to our parents. I am often left wondering how many more 'good days' I have left with my parents... if one would ever be able to cope without the other (despite their being as different as chalk and cheese !).... I am not a pessimistic to think I haven't had enough.... Oh, I know I am more blessed than most, to have them around me whenever I wish.. for them to be able to experience the joy of grandchildren first hand, instead of video-calls and letters.... to know that I would (hopefully) be around whenever they need me.... But each time I play with my own children, I am left with wonderment ! Maybe we appreciate our parents - their choices and sacrifices - more completely when we don that hat in life. Being on the other side really provides perspective !