Tag Archives: #multigenerational living

Thankful in 2021 and moving forward

2020 was a  stressful year for our family, as I am  sure it has been for yours. We have had extra health issues, political anxiety, and Covid 19 fear.

Megan and Matt have been building a new home in Kansas City. They live less than 3 hours away, yet we have not seen them since a year ago January. It is too dangerous to risk exposing Bryan, Dot and Jim to the virus and Matt is in the the plant every day with hundreds of chances of exposure.

Dan, Rhonda and Alexis live less than a mile away. Rhonda is a RN at Wesley. We did not spend the Holidays together. Both of them did have covid close to Christmas. Thankfully their symptoms weren’t severe. Alexis has been spared so far. Most sadly Chris who now lives in Phoenix lost his father to Covid.

It was a year that we would not want to relive. Yet every day I thank God that 6 years ago we had the foresight to purchase a home and blend our family into one unit. We have been able to shelter together and watch after one another. There is nothing better than knowing that your family is well and safe.

The First Obstical

Five things had to happen before the family could move into our Plum Tree house

  • The Elevator had to be installed.
  • Bryan’s bath had to be revamped for a roll- in shower
  • Dot’s bath needed tub replaced with a walk in shower
  • The master bath needed a lot of love and the shower enlarged.
  •  And of course, we had to find a way to get Bryan and Dot comfortably and safely into the house in the first place.

The front steps were fairly steep and there was no handrail. The back entrance involved about 20 steps with no adequate handrail to grasp and the garage steps were not easily  accessible  for any of us. A fabulous handyman, Mark Lawrence, who was very familiar with accessibility issues came to my rescue and installed  new garage steps with handrails and grab bars.



Accessibility issues were not uncommon when we were searching for homes. It is one of the things that buyers don’t think much about unless faced with an injury or worn out joints. Safety features are not that expensive when you think of the cost of a fall. I hope that builders and remodelers will join the movement to keep our homes safe, comfortable, and accessible for everyone.