curmugeon | Worry....

As time passes and my parents get older, the worries take over. Tonite, while chatting with my sister, she mentioned that she had not heard from my parents in a few days, and for her, calls are almost a daily occurrence. I then tried their phone, and after 14-20 rings and no answer, I was worried. I then thought to try the cellular phone I bought them for christmas, still no answer. So, after a few phone calls back and forth to my sister, we decided to call the local sheriff to do a welfare check. I must give you a bit of background. My dad is 80 and my mom is 72. They live a couple miles off the paved road at the far end of a rural valley. So, as they are elderly, I called the sheriff. The sheriff had to drive about 25 miles one way to their place, and came to a locked gate, this gate is about 300 feet from the front door. He was able to find them safe and sound, and told them to call us. They tried on their regular phone, but finally got through using the cel phone. So, for you who have parents, who want and do live far away, be sure to give them the means to communicate, in case the old telephone lines don't work. I can now sleep a bit better tonight.

Alan