Poor Mr. Bassett, so far away from his children. They love their Dear Old Dad, but Tukwila just wasn’t working for them.  His daughter, Maria, 45, got involved in politics after she was graduated from the UW law school in 1995.  She volunteered for Patty Murray’s Senate campaign, and has been living in the other Washington since 1998, with her husband Bob, who works in the Pentagon as an Aide de Camp.  They have a nice place outside of Alexandria, VA. She now serves as Sen. Murray’s chief of staff.  Patricia’s brother Tony went in a different direction, attending Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where he rapidly rose through the culinary world and now serves as the Head Chef of Mon Petit Cochon, a Michelin 5-star restaurant in Biarritz. He lives in a glorious penthouse overlooking the Grande Plage. They alternate flying Mr. Basset out to visit in off seasons, and coming to visit him, but it’s rarely more than once a year, and he has lost his taste for air travel.  The last time Maria was home, she set up a Face Time App for Mr. Bassett, but the time differences make using it difficult as he still adheres to his day shift hours from Boeing.

What are some ways that Maria and Tony could help Mr. Bassett after the loss of their mother?  What is their moral obligation?  What is practical? Please post your own opinion and reply to two of your classmates’ posts.