I didn't go out shopping on Black Friday this year but I remember the many times in the past when I did -- running around looking for the latest greatest, must-have, got-to-get-it-now gift for someone on my holiday shopping list.  But not once do I recall a Black Friday that included racing around searching frantically for a gift for one of the elders in my family.  In fact, they never said "hey I have to have this, that or the other".  They really didn't ask for anything at all except to hear from me or, better yet, a nice visit.  According to the

My mom and I often joke about what's going to happen to her when she gets "old" and is unable to take care of herself. I am certainly not taking care of her and have decided my sister can have the honor. Michelle, my 17 year old, does not like these jokes at all. Not one little bit. The thought of me being old and not being able to take care of HER is not something she finds amusing and these jokes with my mom just drive the kid insane. I can understand that, it's a scary thing to think about.

* The woman across the street and to the right of my house is a widow. She's not quite retirement age and neither was her husband when he died in his sleep a year ago. * I The man across the street and to the left of my house is also a widow. He and his wife seemed like the very "typical" retired couple. Their driveway holds three campers/RVs. Two years ago they were preparing to go on a trip, he was backing the RV out and, well, he ran over his wife - she did not survive her injuries. Since then he has wandered the neighborhood with his dog, talking to any neighbors who ventured into his path. He is lonely. He rarely has family who visit him and last week - his dog died. He is not handling it well. * TW's mom has numerous health issues and struggles to help her disabled daughter make it through the day. The stress of dealing with her daughter's health needs has taken its toll on her. * My mother has no serious health issues, yet, but she does sometimes struggle with trying to keep up with a very busy 2 year old grand son. * My father has had to learn to deal with a blown out knee and the fact that surgery has not restored the knee to the condition that would allow him to continue to play hockey.