When did you first become aware of your parents' mortality?

My parents are in their 60s and I'm well-aware that they're not going to be around forever, but it was really hammered into me last night when my dad had a mild heart attack. It's difficult for me to even imagine life without my parents since they've [i]always been there[/i] for my 28 years of existence. But all of my grandparents are deceased so I know the day will come when I have to say goodbye to my mom or dad.

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Mrsbetweenfatandfit · 26-30, F

I’m sorry about your fathers health. My birth mother passed away just a month after I was born. Once I was old enough to grasp that her death meant she was gone forever I developed a lot of anxiety over my fathers life. I would make him salads or coffee and have him sit when he came home because I thought somehow that would keep him around. Then when I stopped to doing that my dad would be vocal how he didn’t expect to live a long life. He’ll be 60 this fall and his dad died shortly after he was 60 and my great grandfather younger than him. It’s heart wrenching to realize the reality of how we will be the ones to carry out their final wishes, deal with their remains, belongings etc That one day I won’t be able to go for a walk & chat with my dad is something I try not to think about. All we can do is spend this valuable time together. We can’t stop time or death we can just value them now & make our time together count for something. Make as many memories as we can. Get to know them better than we maybe do. I hope your dad gets better and you two have the chance for more together.