re: How do you deal with the guilt of living far away from your aging parents?

I am that aging Dad. I moved the family to TX when the kids were 5 & 6. I retired to the Hill Country for a few years where my daughter settled. My son ironically wound up back in NOLA for a short time & I joined him to help open his business. Promised him 2 years. That was 12 years ago. Of course he is back in TX now along with his sister & step brother & sister. All have children, my grandchildren.

Don’t feel so guilty. I understand the feelings, but understand we each have to travel our own path. TX is there home. They are comfortable raising there families. They understand that ole Dad just could not be at peace there. We talk often, text more often & I visit three or four times a year. Until one of them takes the time to learn, someone has to cook T-Day :-)

My Dad & I were close, but in different places. To this day, I think he died never really understanding what I did professionally. So I could never go to him for advise or a consult. The day he passed, I never felt so alone. Took me a long time to accept that I was really on my own.

Enjoy and appreciate the time you get together, but know your parents get it & are so proud of what you are doing and your courage to travel your own path.

Wish I had the magic words to relieve your anguish.