tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post1077025840654978971..comments2023-10-26T08:14:30.016-07:00Comments on Katie Gates: Stories and Opinions: The Distance from Our CornersKatie Gateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01264642384901419402noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-53299757107337735592011-03-16T11:13:20.120-07:002011-03-16T11:13:20.120-07:00We have been really dealing with that with my dh p...We have been really dealing with that with my dh parents. His father died last year at 93 and him mother is in and out of the hospital constantly in her mid 80's. My parents are young (for our day!) My Father just turned 70 and my mother is in her early 60's.<br /><br />Also, my dh and I do have kids, but started late in life ... so they are very little - definitely a challenge on both ends!momof2https://www.blogger.com/profile/02009483774406313896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-88408318118518794322011-03-16T08:50:59.989-07:002011-03-16T08:50:59.989-07:00Stopping by from SITS!
Sometimes I do wonder if ...Stopping by from SITS! <br /><br />Sometimes I do wonder if the world is too big, thankful we have technology to help us stay in touch.Marilennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04441384063400508542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-72166464451066082292011-03-16T08:06:33.092-07:002011-03-16T08:06:33.092-07:00I love it! It makes me think about my own choices...I love it! It makes me think about my own choices in life and coming to peace with what I have decided. Have a fabulous day!Tonyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16709215930563104670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-69904700153546871332011-03-16T06:32:02.855-07:002011-03-16T06:32:02.855-07:00Such a well-articulated description of the dynamic...Such a well-articulated description of the dynamics of families scattered to the four winds...and pointing out that the reality that the distance doesn't mean that we don't care. <br /><br />Stopped by from SITS today. Enjoy your day!Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12337961510358529086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-53115361681870000182011-03-16T06:22:52.014-07:002011-03-16T06:22:52.014-07:00Wow, beautifully said...I loved every word. :)Wow, beautifully said...I loved every word. :)Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01425113373840614616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-7760228854458619732011-03-16T04:59:59.801-07:002011-03-16T04:59:59.801-07:00My own family is spread out, but I'm so apprec...My own family is spread out, but I'm so appreciative that technology makes it easier to shorten those distances.<br /><br />Happy SITS day!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-50513936827918864302011-03-16T03:57:10.386-07:002011-03-16T03:57:10.386-07:00This was a lovely post that really hit home. Havin...This was a lovely post that really hit home. Having already lost my dad, and living in a different country from my mother (and other siblings) I do feel that tug on a constant basis. Home is where my husband and my children are here in the UK and yet.... I miss home. Happy SITS day, happy to have found you.<br /><br />from Babes about Town<br />http://babesabouttown.comcheekymamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13521462371059539099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-55732871408630863852011-01-18T16:16:21.744-08:002011-01-18T16:16:21.744-08:00Very moving post. I enjoyed it!Very moving post. I enjoyed it!Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02141883867104777688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-84472132091561852952011-01-15T17:53:17.623-08:002011-01-15T17:53:17.623-08:00So thoughtful, Katie. I can relate to much of what...So thoughtful, Katie. I can relate to much of what you say, especially the part about growing old with no family nearby. <br />Your family sounds like there was and is a lot of love to go around. Your mom is lucky to have you and your sister, wherever you choose to live.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-89328679076161313512011-01-15T10:41:57.666-08:002011-01-15T10:41:57.666-08:00Katie, As usual you have produced a beautifully cr...Katie, As usual you have produced a beautifully crafted post, so thought provoking and such conduit for my own memories of car trips as a child.<br /><br />I had three brothers, and one of us got to sit up front. There was only mother, as you know. I got the front because I got carsick in the back, and my brothers bitched about it until mother said those dreaded words, "Don't make me stop this car!" It was not uncommon for one of the boys to crawl into the back of the wagon and curl up for a nap.<br /><br />As to the Sandwich Generation, I was born at the apex of the Baby Boom, and I ended up caring for mother for 10 years while dealing with a mentally ill son. It was not easy.<br /><br />I only have one brother left, and he lives 120 miles away, so we see each other fairly often. You are a courageous woman, and I think you are in the right place, but I wish you could be closer to your family.<br /><br />Namaste..........cjcj Schlottmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18217936774632262633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-5480110549257580762011-01-14T12:10:09.747-08:002011-01-14T12:10:09.747-08:00I am hoping to have my mom live near us soon. I h...I am hoping to have my mom live near us soon. I hate being far from her. My brother and I were just talking the other day about how we would lay in the back window of our chevy impala while riding around. No seat belts. My mom was probably smoking in the car. And, we were getting some nice unprotected sun exposure as well.Kristy @Loveandblasphemyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02634987114195614214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-71119250308841572422011-01-13T10:36:54.191-08:002011-01-13T10:36:54.191-08:00My sister and I always sat in the same seats in ou...My sister and I always sat in the same seats in our parents car. We never spoke while driving. These weren't rules, just the way we did things.<br /><br />I think watching our parents age is the toughest thing we have to do as humans. Not having kids doesn't make that any easier.Joey Lynn Rescinitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06219074986338894660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-23446823296354359622011-01-13T10:09:14.454-08:002011-01-13T10:09:14.454-08:00What a thought provoking post Katie - delightful i...What a thought provoking post Katie - delightful idea of corners in the car. Alas, I recall just being squashed in the middle permanently – cars only had room for three children in the back in the days of my childhood and a fourth sat on mum’s lap in the front. (Highly dangerous eh?). Our own five had the luxury of an eight-seater so at least two got a corner.<br /><br />It is hard living any distance from an elderly parent but I must say I am more patient with my mother than either of my sisters appear to be who live nearer. Perhaps distance does help sometimes! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-69884181805582716102011-01-13T06:08:14.337-08:002011-01-13T06:08:14.337-08:00Hi Katie,
What a lovely post with tender sentiment...Hi Katie,<br />What a lovely post with tender sentiments. I discovered your blog through Sioux and am now a follower. <br />I'm sure your mom is proud of you and your sister.<br />Donna V.<br />http://donnsbookpub.blogspot.comDonna Volkenannthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540727800410234483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-55847849910334656902011-01-13T05:55:38.636-08:002011-01-13T05:55:38.636-08:00Oh Katie, this was so poignant and just absolutely...Oh Katie, this was so poignant and just absolutely lovely. <br /><br />It's a different stage all right, being the middle of the sandwich. My husband and I are experiencing it for the first time with both sides. My mom is alone and quite dependent on us and his parents are actually living temporarily with us while his mom goes through some procedures at the top notch medical facility near our home. We also have 3 teenage daughters. I pray every day for patience and the ability to be the person I need to be for all of these people in my life. <br /><br />Your memories of the car ride brought me back to those days in our yellow station wagon. We did not have the luxury of corners though. With 7 of us children, we had to manage with "Stop touching me and you're on my side!" Now? We would give anything to be able to snuggle up and be on each other's side instead of scattered across the states. <br /><br />Beautiful post.Joann Mannixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11163491824085428085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-83006372477702629952011-01-13T00:46:16.246-08:002011-01-13T00:46:16.246-08:00Katie, I really like your writing. I can so relat...Katie, I really like your writing. I can so relate. Although we do not live in such far corners as your sister and Mom, I live further than I feel comfortable from my two daughters, and the rest of my family.<br /><br />I am signing up too...Donna B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07015770616281528620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-55014864515420270872011-01-12T21:20:41.813-08:002011-01-12T21:20:41.813-08:00Katie,
I just signed on as a follower and must say...Katie,<br />I just signed on as a follower and must say, your post is beautiful, very touching. It took me back to the days of GET ON YOUR OWN SIDE. http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com (please sign on)Linda O'Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982895073903619018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-62695411518255339302011-01-12T18:03:44.454-08:002011-01-12T18:03:44.454-08:00Katie--If you are an open-face sandwich, perhaps y...Katie--If you are an open-face sandwich, perhaps you have some gravy ladled on top? Think of the "gravy" in your life... Your friends, your art, the place that you've carved for yourself.<br /><br />This was a very moving post. I am going to give you some "props" on my blog.Sioux Roslawskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17924021828536277618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-34573303699732808282011-01-12T15:54:33.322-08:002011-01-12T15:54:33.322-08:00My mom died when I was 23 and I have no children e...My mom died when I was 23 and I have no children either, but I do have a lovely God-daughter and her four-year-old son that I wish lived closer. What a beautiful piece, Katie.Jayne Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01053366144206401836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-14917920289267384222011-01-12T15:48:17.433-08:002011-01-12T15:48:17.433-08:00"Open face sandwich"...love it. I'm..."Open face sandwich"...love it. I'm at the bottom of the Baby Boomer generation but still feeling squished. My father just passed away in August and I live near my mother, so she really depends on me now. And my bottom layer is a special needs child. Squish. I love our generation though...wouldn't change a thing.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10901229142046583059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-91772131042625986142011-01-12T13:41:49.610-08:002011-01-12T13:41:49.610-08:00Katie, what a lovely post. I really do understand...Katie, what a lovely post. I really do understand how difficult it can be with older parents. My mother passed away 5 years ago, and I constantly wish I had been able to live closer to her and do more for her. I did what I could, but somehow it never feels like it's enough. I'm sure your Mom knows she is loved and that is the most important thing.Linda Medranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03440058568073764902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-22755954754517991042011-01-12T10:51:35.512-08:002011-01-12T10:51:35.512-08:00What a poignant and beautifully written post. Sad ...What a poignant and beautifully written post. Sad and full of love all at the same time. All choices come at a cost, but it doesn't mean the choices were wrong. Hugs.Deb Shuckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439395710731341021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-9348276431418386692011-01-12T09:11:23.563-08:002011-01-12T09:11:23.563-08:00Enjoyed the read. I have always been so tied up in...Enjoyed the read. I have always been so tied up in my art and writings. I wished before my Mum died, I had taken her out to dinner more. Went shopping more and bought her more clothes. Took her to get proper reading glasses. Its the small stuff I think about now.Jacqueline Howetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13522485407848765933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352920971254096499.post-11856424363686762792011-01-12T08:43:30.282-08:002011-01-12T08:43:30.282-08:00this was simply lovely Katie... my heart was touch...this was simply lovely Katie... my heart was touched by your words. We have to follow our destiny, that's for sure, but how difficult it is to see what is left behind in that process, uh?OJ Gonzalez-Cazareshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163055706274656012noreply@blogger.com