My Dad had MS, and I can remember Mom saying to us "Don't tell your father about that, I don't want him upset" or "You kiddos pipe down before your father gets home, I don't want him getting upset."

I remember being puzzled. I didn't think Dad had that bad a temper, and would try to picture him popping his cork and socking a neighbor, or hollering and my brother and me.

All these years later, the light finally came on.

I was walking home from the post office and trying to get a flare-up of anxiety under contol. I was thinking, "I hate this anxious feeling! It's awful when I feel upset but there's nothing to be that upset about."

Then, DING! It hit me that of course my mother wasn't referring to anger per se. I remember hearing them discussing the fact that his "nerves were bad" because of his "problem" (which is what they called the MS). And that is what Mom was talking about.

I always hesitate to use the term "anxiety", because people hear that as fear or worry. It's that too, of course, but "upset" describes the feeling I often have--in varying degrees--and now I know what Mom meant. And how my Dad felt.

Aww. I'm really sorry

The dawn rises and the light comes on..

Isn't amazing who smart our parents became, when we became parents or just grew up?

I'm right there with you, B2Y...just can't control the worry brain cells...and I get so darn overwrought so easily...

Your mom was great to look out for your dad...