Justice is the 11th Major Arcana card.  It represents balance, maintaining your equilibrium and having the courage to face the truth.  It can also symbolize the need for rational well-thought-out decisions and the ability to be fair in the distribution of the wealth and to determine where resources should be allocated for the good of everyone.  Justice usually represents a sense of fair-play, of balance and equality. 

The Fradella image of Justice shows the costumed superhero known as Patriot standing in what appears to be the Senate (or House or maybe a courthouse), with a closed scroll in his right hand and scales in his left.  Flanking him are two American flags.  He is blindfolded but doesn't seem to be concerned about his lack of vision.  He is a member of the UN Peacekeepers and is apparently not always well liked by his peers.  He has occasionally exhibited bigotry and unpleasantness towards those he is supposed to protect.  The interesting part of his character is that despite these personality quirks, he will still defend those he does not like if that is the just thing to do.  Ultimately it seems that is one of the keys to true justice - being able to put aside our own preferences and prejudices and judge matters on their facts and based upon what is right and wrong.

The Anna K Justice card shows a more traditional image of a figure (it might be male but it also might be female) sitting behind a large desk with a set of scales carved on the front.  The 'judge" holds a sword in her right hand and her left hand rests on an open book.  The floor in front of the desk is designed of alternative black and white tiles.  Behind the judge are two full red curtains drawn back to reveal a pale yellow sphere (the sun?) set in a darker yellow background.  The judge wears red and green robes and has a crown on her head.  This figure seems to showing that she is in no rush to life this sword but she will if it's necessary.  The book shows that her judgments are based in knowledge and law not just personal preference.  The pale yellow sphere haloing her head suggests that she is very connected to the balanced, impartial energy of the intellect.  Her emotions do not rule her judgments, they are based on case law and precedents.

I think the message these cards are trying to tell me is that I need to proceed with this situation with the in-laws based on sense and intellect.  Although my heart might be telling me to do whatever it takes to keep them in their house, my mind knows that it genuinely might be better for them to be in a more institutional setting.  Maybe the message is that in order to be fair to ourselves and to them, I have to do the research and cut through the bureaucracy and find the solution.  It might not be exactly what he wish or hope for but perhaps logic is the best approach to a solution.  It's about allocating resources for the best possible outcome for all of us.  That might not always be the most desirable outcome but it's probably the most fair.

I have to admit a number of friends and loved ones have been very helpful in dealing with this.  I know of two other people who had to deal (or are currently dealing) with similar situations with a parent.  They are all approximately the same generation as my mom-in-law.  These are people who grew up during the Great Depression and were proud they never took government hand-outs as adults.  They want to remain independent and not have strangers in their homes.  They don't want to be told when and what to eat.  They just want to enjoy their remaining years with their families.  Unfortunately that reality just doesn't exist.  They are becoming physically frail and forgetful.  They cannot prepare their own food.  They can't even take care of their most basic personal hygiene needs because the simple act of getting into and out of the bathtub is too challenging for them.  It is heart-breaking that these independent, formerly self-sufficient people spend their final years having that independence and their pride striped away.  I'm sure they thought they're twilight years would be spent surrounded by their children and grand-children (just as their parents spent their twilight years) but that just isn't as likely to happen in today's society.  As much as we'd love to be able to care for my in-laws, it's just not possible.  If and when we both return to work, we won't be available.  And quite frankly I think their needs are beyond our capacity to provide.  It's gut-wrenching and devastating and at the same time my rational side tells me it's the only way.  There will be no balance in our lives if we choose any other path.  It's sad but true.