Cry those tears. Let them out entirely.

It's natural to feel the loss of those young loved ones, knowing you're where you are to take care of your elderly parents.

It's a real balance-and acknowledging your sadness will help tremendously.

My husband has been really supportive with lots of hugs and encouragement. He says we are where we are meant to be right now. My mother-in-law passed away about 6 weeks before we moved to TX. We have been very active in caring for my father-in-law. He is now in assisted living with dementia. It is sad seeing his decline. My youngest daughter, son-in-law, and 17 month old son now live in the same town as us so we get to see them and be part of that grandson’s life.

I feel like I was doing okay with everything until I got COVID in August. My husband had it worse than me. I have had lots of anxiety and less energy since then. Lack of good sleep also wears me down. I am sure that leads to my being more emotional.

I just wish we could all live in the same state. I never wanted to move to TX but was trying to support my husband.

One of the best gifts is to enjoy the precious moments with the elderly parents and to respect that decline is part of the circle of life.

Writing it out will help you release the angst associated with covid. It takes a long time to reset the natural balance that covid knocked to the ground and flew up sky high.

You got this!

They probably miss you too! God bless your husband. Do you FaceTime? If not, I think that would help. I have an Android phone and I believe that FaceTime doesn't work on Androids. So Skype or get a different phone. Cheer up! You will see them again.

do cry it out, seaglass. life is never perfect and crying out the pieces that hurt make them easier to assimilate, as does getting those pains into writing and venting the stresses of living with those pains.

yea, new hampshire to texas is quite the climate change. some might call it culture shock, too. i've lived in foreign countries, so i'm not one of those folks, but there's no doubting the two regions are different.

Seaglass, I certainly feel your pain. I may not have the exact circumstance, but I am going through severe empty nest syndrome. I miss my young adult children. And it's hard because I look into the near future at least, and do not see a time they would be able to come home.
And for sure, any day I have bad sleep I am worse.
You certainly have a lot of support here. Lots of good advice given from others.
I may not have good advice, but you are not alone!
My best to you as you work your way through.

Thank you, Everyone. Last week when they were here I had a reason to get up early and be active. We had things planned for each day. This week it is like I am in mourning and I dread getting up. Know that sounds dumb. I just feel exhausted.

I really do appreciate all of you! Thank you!