I think Mr. Silver is here because he likes to be here and he is courteous and inciteful and I appreciate his candor. I think it also shows that he cares for Silver and is interested in what she does and is part of. More men could learn from that.
Now, back to the topic. Silvers, I greatly appreciate your problems with the parents. Mine are alcoholics also. My brother in law (who never says anything bad about anyone) says they are "CRAZY", and of course, he is right. They act crazy cause they are addicts and have lived their lives around alcohol instead of dedicating their time to something good and productive.
My parents are also in the 80s (dad is 89). They still live by themselves in Tucson now, but who knows how much longer this will be able to last. They drink every late-afternoon/night and get snockered almost every night. It is a very sad thing. It not only affects their brains, it affects their moods, and their health. Mom has always been on depression medication and still drinks? Dad had one kidney removed from cancer about 10 years ago, kept drinking, has severe prostate problems, and his other kidney is compromised and works only minimally.
My sister and I have talked to them about not drinking so much, but it is useless. Especially after Dad's kidney was removed. We cannot control them. We do the best to have a loving relationship with them; but sometimes it is very tough. I understand your struggle - you want to do something, but it is very difficult and almost impossible to control the situation. You just have to realize that you have done the best you can and go forward with your own lives and make good role models for your own children and those around you. IT IS SO DANG FRUSTRATING - but sometimes these are the cards you are dealt!
Hang in there - it probably doesn't get better, but I wish you well in dealing with these issues.
spoke