My parents used to get along with each other's side of the family. Dad is more gentle than mom, mom has always been the alpha person in their relationship. Dad's siblings live in other cities. They would call my parents often and they are fine in the call. I notice that mom started to bitch about dad's family in recent years which she barely did when I was a kid. She doesn't like what dad's sisters do and talk them down often (to me) which she never did when she was younger. Dad's sister - my aunt has been talking about a family trip which includes grandpa (97 yrs old). Aunt and dad's argument is that we will never have this opportunity again ever bcz grandpa is getting older each day. Now he can still walk freely and fine health conditions, but anything can happen any moment considering his age. Mom said to me: I don't want your grandpa to come and if he comes I don't want to. Mom has become more and more superstitious in recent years and I know she must be thinking it's bad luck to have elder people as travel companions. I'm in the middle and sad about the situation. I live in another country (12 hours flight to the home country train ride etc). I'm going back to celebrate a major holiday therefore the trip conversation started. My purpose was to spend more time with the family but seems like the family is drifting away even for the people who are physically together.