Wow, that's a great story, GC...

It's funny how people change as they age. With my own father and grandfather, they've each become kinder and more accepting of others as they approach 60 and 90 respectively. I would expect that to be more the norm as people are more exposed to different viewpoints and people as they grow older. I wonder what circumstances could cause people to go backwards figuratively as they age? Humanity is so interesting.

My mother has become much more intolerant as she ages. Things that she says using racial slurs horrify me. And I know as kids if we would have said something similiar or heard it from others she would have been equally horrified.

She's also become horribly rude in resturants, with sales clerks. It makes me nervous to go out with her.

Could it be early alzheimers? Personality change is a key symptom. (I hope it isn't, but with early detection quality of life can be greatly improved.)

My dad mellowed out with age. He's become more open-minded in the last 5 years or so. He's driving back from Mt. Rushmore right now. He went there from the conference. I just talked to him about the earthquake. He told me my mom thought N. Korea was boming HI. Oy.

I don't think so. It's more like someone turned off her sensor button. Things she might have previously thought, but not said, seem to come out if that makes sense.