The Circle of Life.....a moment of reflection

Well, I thought I better write this while I'm in the mood for writing. Seems like this is the time of year for reflection of the past year and looking to the new year and what it may bring.
Today granny had a doctor's appointment in Claypool so we took her down last night and then this morning she went for her check up. This morning she had to have her cumidin checked and then this afternoon at two she had a check up with her primary care physician. Now to my point.....Thad and I decided to stay behind when she went for the morning thing cuz it wasn't a crucial exam. Thad stayed outside doing various yard work, trimming the trees, raking leaves, stacking wood etc....I stayed inside and cleaned. It made me realize how hard it's been for my mom to keep up with everyday housework (stuff I loathed and detested while growing up and avoided at all cost) but while I was doing those house chores.....dishes, sweeping and mopping, bathrooms, vacuuming etc... I had this feeling of contentment and joy in doing those things for my mom. I felt so happy just cleaning and organizing, washing sheets and towels hanging them out to dry like I used to when I was young at home. I guess I was feeling that I am some how paying my mom back for all she did for me and tried to teach me to do, which was a chore for her I'm sure. I was quite the tomboy and would rather play baseball, hop in and out of the various ponds and catch waterdogs and snakes and frogs, climb trees and all that is wonderful and glorious about the stuff boys get to do.
I kind of thought through the years that my dad would live as long as his parents.....95 and 93 respectively but alas he passed away at the young age of 61 and my mom has been a widow all these years. She's always been in pretty good health until the end of 2008 and had several heart attacks. It's been an up and down thing figuratively and literally with her health. Now... I had always planned to keep her if the time came but it came a little sooner than I had prepared myself for and it's been a joy and a bit of a trial. ( I LOVE my space and alone time) Argh it's not easy overcoming those selfish tendencies but I'm am endeavoring. It is now my turn to take care of her and make sure she has everything she needs and wants so that the rest of her life may be a bit easier and enjoyable. We are trying to make it possible for her to stay in Claypool as long as she can safely, which she loves dearly. Right now she can stay on her own during the spring and summer.
I want to thank Thad for always being so willing and kind and helpful and generous when it comes to taking care of my mom because his parents are struggling with health problems far worse than my mom's but he never complains and does what he can.
I guess I can't believe time has gone by so fast that I'm at this point in my life that I need to look after my mom. I had it in my mind that my mom and dad would still be living together and caring for each other and all of us kids would just check up on them like we did with my grandparents. Such is the circle of life and we get to choose how well we will rise to the occasion when these events are presented to us. I hope some day to hear the words well done thou good and faithful servant, or daughter....going both ways.....daughter of Heavenly Father and of my own earthly parents.