This has nothing to do with you, and it doesn't change our love for you in any way...

You'd think after 35+ years of marriage, a man and woman would be able to make it 'until death do us part,'...but noooooo.

On Monday, Mom called to let me know she was moving out to be closer to take care of my grandparents, who are in poor health.

Bam!

Just like someone smacked me upside the face.

She explained she was not getting a divorce, but needed to get away from 'home'. Mom and Pops live waaay out in the country...very few neighbors. Plus she works from home, so she's there all the time. I can see how it gets monotonous. However, 9 years ago when they moved there, she knew all that.

Of course it's easy for me to fault her, but Dad is such a great guy. He never cheated, abused, or did anything to make life unpleasant for Mom. In fact, he walks on eggshells just to keep her happy.

Mom tells me they'll keep a joint checking account and stay on his insurance. Which I replied, "that doesn't seem fair." She also said they'll still talk and see each other, just not live together. I didn't want to ask how long this will last.

It's not the first time she's done this. Exactly three years ago this week, she up and moved out too. A month prior to that episode, she had a hysterectomy and didn't go on hormone replacement therapy. She's always been a little out of whack, and took medicine to help her balance out. She called me at work and asked me to take off the next day to come move her. I refused. That set off a few weeks of unpleasantry. It only took a few more weeks before she and dad started talking again and began the process of patching things up. A few months later, she moved back home.

I know it must be tough for small kids to go through a divorce or separation, but what about adults. At this point, it just seems silly.

As my sister put it in an email Monday...and I quote..."In just one month, I lost Zach, I lost another baby, and now I lost my parents...again! I'm not sure how much more I can take."

I reminded Mom too that Em is in a fragile state right now, and that she should think of others before she makes any major decisions.

Of course all this complicates things for when I come home to visit. I have to make three stops....one to see Mom...drive another hour to see Pops...then another hour to see Em. It's CRAZY!

"W"