"Mom, let me get that for you."
"Dad, I'll drive you."
"Don't worry about the stairs, we'll bring everything down."
They mean well. But every time they help, a little piece of your independence disappears.
You used to be the one they called when THEY needed help.
Now?
You're the appointment on their calendar. The reason they rearrange their schedule. The burden they don't talk about but you feel every single day.
The worst part?
You saw this coming.
First, it was the morning stiffness—nothing a few extra minutes couldn't solve.
Then it was avoiding the second floor because stairs felt like a punishment.
Then it was turning down invitations because "my feet just can't handle it today."
And now?
Now it's asking for help to do the things you've done yourself for 60+ years.