My parents retired to a small house in southern France about 20 years ago. They had the opportunity to return to the UK about 5 years ago after my father's health started to slowly deteriorate. They decided that France was there home so stayed. They started coming back to the UK less and less and for shorter periods ie only 10 days over Christmas. Then about 3 years ago only my mother came for very brief stays saying my father found the trip too difficult.
I haven't seen my father for nearly 2 years as he can no longer travel and going there is difficult.
Received a call from my mother last night saying that things are coming to an end and it's expected that in the next few months it'll be over.
We aren't a close knit family at all and am expecting to deal with this on my own. I will be going to see him in a few weeks. I'm hugely greatful at having that opportunity rather than just getting a call to say "Your father died this morning"
I've always had a very complicated relationship with my parents (and siblings) and suspect that things have only mellowed through age and distance.
Can anyone offer any advice?
Thanx