Sometimes my grandparents (in their 80s) occasionally make off the cuff comments such as “if I make it that long” or “if I’m still around by then”. One of them, my Nan, would chastise my great great auntie who used to say the same (she died this year at 92). My instinct is to also chastise them for saying such things, but is there a better way to acknowledge their feelings rather than admonish them?

My grandparents are generally very happy, active and jovial people so hearing such talk, no matter how off the cuff, feels very strange.