Retirement and sudden empty nest homes are a shift that cause many older adults can be a great challenge. "People need to prepare emotionally for retirement... People planning to retire need to retire to something." For my own father, the shift to retirement brought on feelings of depression. Without a plan for the day, he would find himself sleeping lots and lacking motivation. Something that he had once looked forward to for so long- was not all he had anticipated. Finding hobbies and constructive things to do with his time, brought him out of his funk and now he enjoys yard work, his miniature train set, and camping.
Remarrying after death or divorce brings with it many complicated levels of emotions. There will be baggage that each person brings from their previous marriage. "There are numerous perceived benefits that can lead a widow or widower to remarry, including companionship, financial security, shared intimacy, increased quality of life, and opportunities to serve."
"The Lord knows and loves the elderly among His people. It has always been so, and upon them He has bestowed many of His greatest responsibilities. In various dispensations He has guided His people through prophets who were in their advancing years. He has needed the wisdom and experience of age, the inspired direction from those with long years of proven faithfulness to His gospel... How the Lord knows and loves His children who have given so much through their years of experience." President Ezra Taft Benson
Grandparenting has become a bigger role today than in the past. With a longer life-span, more youth are getting to know their grandparents on a very personal level. Parents are helping out their grown children with things like babysitting and finances. In my own experience, my Mom and Dad have been life savers. When I am in a pinch and unable to find a babysitter, my Mom is eager and willing to watch my baby. She also helps by picking up the older kids from school, or dropping things off if they forget something. My Mom is still young and her health is good enough that she is able to help out in these ways.
My husbands parents are a bit older. Their health is declining and they are not able to help in the same manner as my parents. They still enjoy seeing the children, they like to help and "counsel" the older kids and are always willing to help financially when they can.
The biggest pleasure has been able to watch my kids with my own Grandma. She is 96 and even when my kids were younger (think 17 years ago) she would come over and wash and fold our laundry. What a blessing we have to know and love our grandparents.
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