G&J and their son, were in town for the weekend. G&J are two of my oldest friends. We went to university together and lived together for many years back then. 

The husband and I took them on a low key tour of some of Seattle's sights-- the Space Needle, the Chihuly Glass Museum, interesting neighborhoods.

We had many good conversations. Retirement and mortality are hot topics, especially since SG's death last month. SG's death has hit G hard. In fact G was with SG's wife when they took him off life support.

And then there is my mother-- she has had a second stroke. She is back in the hospital. She has lost most of the use of her right arm. This time, our family response is a little more muted. A little more "wait and see." 

With mom's first stroke we had this optimism that she would fully recover. All mom needed was some time and help from her family and friends. With this second stroke we realize that assisted living is in mom's future. Full recovery may never come. She and dad must make plans that respect this.