Do people have episodes in their lives

[NYC_SKP]

7. I read your other reply about that.

I moved back from NYC to my home town over 20 years ago and they were retired.

I had to move to a small house on a lot with a tall gate and remote and keypad entry because my stepfather couldn't understand that my work at home job wasn't an open invitation to come over and tell me about how the yard needed work or whatever.

They grew older and older and leaving town seemed to be harder and harder to do until they both died last year.

The care they needed during their last 3 or 4 years was far more taxing than the years before, so I hope you'll steel yourself for more potential stress.

Of course, it doesn't have to be stressful if you can find the right balance between communicating with them and maintaining your sanity and your space.

I don't know your details, but it sounds like a good start might be to screen calls, take control of the time and types of communication you have, and be very honest about your needs.

Sometimes you just can't win, in which case you might as well try to get your way where you can.

Good luck.