My mom broke both arms this week from a very bad, dangerous fall. Firstly, I was disturbed by how much worse it could have played out. It's not an exaggeration to say she could have become paralyzed or worse. And it happened in a mundane way doing a household chore in the yard. But yes climbing up on something unsteady.
Secondly, I started wondering... what will I be doing if that happens to me (if not now, then let's say in 20 years when I'm her age). My parents' relationship is far from perfect (they're my first enemy ship I guess), but my dad is taking care of her right now in ways that make me cringe to even think about ever needing in my lifetime. And she has a son living close by who took her to the ER and sat with her through the ordeal of waiting for four hours in horrible pain and then her having her bones reset.
Idk. It just burst my flimsy illusion that "I... don't... need... anyone!" An accident like that could happen to anyone. But... I also just cannot face getting into the dating scene again on the off chance I find someone who will feed and shower me if I become disabled.
It was also the first time I looked up "meal delivery services" and it was basically for elderly people who can't take care of themselves anymore, and it was like a glimpse into my future, probably throwing money at the problem of caring for aging parents from afar, since I don't live close to them.
