I Need to Vent

Last week when I visited my parents to organize their meds for the week, they had 'company'.

My dad approached me and whispered that my mom wasn't doing so well. My mom approached me and said that she wanted these people to leave.

I checked her meds and noticed that she hadn't taken her 'last night' pills. Poor mom. No wonder she wasn't doing well. Even I've considered drugs after leaving their house when they have 'company'.

So, I got her a glass of water, handed her the pills and told her she would be tired in 30 minutes. She looked at me and inquired in her quick witted way if I had anything stronger and faster.

She's getting feisty, that mother of mine.

I have some problems 'doing' my parents meds, as they like to talk and I need to think. But, my parents are quiet talkers and avoid ALL controversy in it's many and sundry forms.

Their 'company' does not. They actually shout, and controversy is all they've got.

While trying to calm my mother, alert my father and concentrate on putting dozens upon dozens of tiny white pills into tiny receptacles I was unwillingly held captive to their conversation.

No. It wasn't a conversation at all.

To have a conversation, my parents would have been required to respond or add valuable insights. But, they could not. They tried, but they could not.

The 'company' are three adults from one family. How they haven't driven themselves and each other completely insane is beyond my comprehension. Because, they have a good start on me. And, I want to blame them completely for my mother's dementia. Sometimes I even get angry at my dad, who puts up with it even though my mom cannot handle it at all anymore.

IF it had been an actual conversation, I would try to repeat it. But, since it wasn't, I will do my best. And then, in a very short time, I will delete this post. Today though, I need to vent.

All they do is sing stupid songs that don't mean anything and just keep repeating the same thing over and over. (ummm. those are psalms, last time i checked, His love endures forever repeats often in the psalms) Nobody likes it. (the people that i know who go there like it) And they all come in late. Everybody comes late. (quite possibly this is because they are in conversation with other people about real things) And one guy just can't do it. He needs three other people to stand next to him. THEY DON'T EVEN USE THE HYMNBOOKS ANYMORE. (the 11th commandment?) There aren't even any pews. (because a numb behind is a sign of spiritual maturity?) Just plain old chairs that stack up. That pastor doesn't even preach about heaven and hell. Never hear about heaven or hell. (really. after 75 plus years in church, you still haven't heard enough about heaven or hell?)

Now. Repeat this over and over, becoming louder and louder as you go. Pepper it with 'damns' and 'hells' that aren't necessary ever in any conversation.

My dad did add an invitation to our church, where someone who the 'company' knows was mentioned. This caused snorts and retorts but nothing at all resembling a conversation.

That changed things up a bit. Out of nowhere I started to hear about someone who:

Is no good anymore. (according to who?) No good anymore at all. Bought a motorcycle. (as i recall, you bought a motorcycle once) All he does is ride that motorcycle. Must be a mid-life crisis. (if it's who i think it is, mid-life happened awhile back) What does he do with all his money? (how is his money any of your business?) All that money. (money. why does it always come around to how much money people have?) All he does is ride that motorcycle. (get a clue) He's up to no good. (because motorcycles are inherently evil?) And all that money. (suddenly, i want a motorcycle.)

Okay. Now do the same thing. Repeat. Get progressively louder. Swear more.

Have you ever noticed how the Biblical admonition to 'Love your neighbor' is such a heart warming thought when the 'neighbors' are unknown people that appear in ones imagination? But, the real 'neighbors' that one already knows are so stinking hard to endure. Forever.