August 22, 2012
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Extending subscriptions
Dad asked me to renew his National Geographic magazine. He held out the renewal card and told me, "I think a 1 year subscription will do. I don't think I'll be around that long anymore." I nodded and took it from him. I still can't bring myself to check the box and send it in. I wish I could just add more years to his life by checking a box. But his body is gradually slowing down.
Comments (18)
Find a deal that sells a 3 year subscriptions for $10.
Seriously, I hate it when elders say these kind of things. I want to sympathize, but it's also traumatizing at the same time. Makes me want to employ the no attention strategy for a child throwing a tantrum.
Dark humor by old people. Never liked that. Even throws a pessimist like me in depression.
My grandpa always says stuff like that, I hate it too.
Just feel happy that he is optimistic about wanting to get the NG magazine. I know he is in his sunset years, and he is aware of that as you are. Humor him and tell him that you renewed it for three years or five years. Let him smile. I know it is sad when they say those words. Don't pay attention to them. Love and hugs.
Us old people duse dark humor as it is called. I keep saying I want the house to outlive me. Give him a hug and get the best bargain for renewal.
dayam... be strong man.
I'll take that as dark/bitter humor. Did you say anything in reply?
@Wangium - you always make me laugh with your one liners. I think he was feeling a bit down that day. He and my sister argue a lot.
@beowulf222 - I should try and find a way to cheer him up.
@MillySonka - maybe I should humour my dad. He was probably having a bad day.
@ZSA_MD - thanks for your support and wise words.
@Fatcat723 - I'll give him a hug and tell him "This is from Rob." I'm sure that'll really confuse him.
@BenelliMan - thanks Dennis.
@CurryPuffy - no, it was the first time I've heard anything like this from him. He brought up his will afterwards and had some questions about his bank statement.
You know, my grandmother has been predicting her imminent demise for the past decade. While the end is inevitable, I'm not sure we are able to know the time frame as well as we'd like to think. I'd like to think that it is better to renew the subscription annually, thankful that your dad is around for another year's subscription, rather than to sign up for many years and live in fear that the subscription will outlive him.
How old is your dad?
Chin up, mate. Enjoy your time with him.
You should get a multi-year subscription for him. Even if he's right, when you get the issues he's not around to read, it will remind you that everything he's built that was ever going to last is in you.
You know, your xanga name is really misleading. I doubt the right words ever elude you, it's just that a lot of times there are no words.
Uhmmm what's going on here? I say the same stuff when I renew my Mcleans magazine as well... Oh dear, you can be my son!! Hugs Hugs =)
*hug* tell him to humor YOU and renew it for three years.
I think people say things like that just to bother their family...
He's made it past a National Geographic subscription... he can do it again!
@christao408 - he's been a subscriber to National Geographic for decades. It's incidents like these that force me to pause and ask myself if I'm spending enough time with him.
@stepaside_loser - he told me the other day he is a living fossil. I just try to humour him and try to keep him in a positive frame of mind.
@CareyGLY - thanks Carey - it's always good to hear from you again.
@bolt99 - It's one of the first magazines and he's been a long time subscriber. Every time I see it in his house, it does remind me of my childhood and how much fun I had reading it (well, just looking at the pictures). As for my Xanga name, well - writing is not easy sometimes.
@Kliente2 - hahaha... thank you for the hugs.
@caki730 - he'll probably scold me for not listening but might just smile inside.
@secade - I'm not sure - I think when you're near the end of life, your mind, emotional health and perspective changes dramatically. It's a challenge for me to sometimes understand his perspective.
@Devilzgaysianboi - I hope so Kevin.