The Sandwich Generation... at least we're open faced!
As we find ourselves gearing up for our African Odyssey, my mind skips back to years ago; you might even call them the olden days. When the boys were young we seldom traveled as a couple. Most of our vacations were family ones. Young parents understand this. When we did travel, I remember the long lists written in bold letters (better for Grandma to read) and left in multiple places throughout the house. The phone numbers seldom needed an international code because we didn't stray too far afield with regularity.
Those lists were peppered with doctor numbers and those of helpful neighbors and carpoolers. Boy, if we had done carpool in the digital age it would have saved me from printing mini schedules for the visor in the car and big ones to transfer to the date book for my gal pals. Oh well, just this once, I was born too soon.
But we are youngsters no more as we join the masses of our peers who juggle being a grandparent, active retiree and caregiver to their own parents. Paul and I are not alone. In the grandparent department, we are grateful, not just for the seven unique and rambunctious blessings we have been given, but for their parents who with enthusiasm and love are present, nurture and set boundaries for their children. So cross one item off our list. Well done, Krupp's and their fine ladies.
Regarding our active retiree status, I don't believe either one of us would suggest we are the people we were five years ago. While we enjoy good health and an active lifestyle, we both power through some irritating degenerative issues. Like it or not, those are the facts. Cross off 50% of hanging out in the golden years.
Yet we are still parenting Paul's mom, Merrill, at 98 years old. She has been with us in the Georgetown area after a serious fall four years ago. We have been well supported by our local boys, Californian Ted who always manages to find a business appointment nearby and Paul's brother, Mike, who makes a convoluted passage from Florida with regularity. In fact, I think if we asked him to come every month, he would find a way. Max's and Joe's dogs absolutely own the nursing home; their arrival always generates a lot of excitement.
But here we are, ready to set off on a long trip to Africa in the middle of the period of Merrill's greatest decline to date. We are torn; not because we fear her care will suffer, but because we hate the idea of being away should something happen........not to mention the considerable difficulties of returning stateside on the fly. But had we hovered around for the past four years we would have missed a lifetime of wonderful adventures so we continue to move forward. The printed lists have been replaced with flash drives...yet we still give good-bye kisses in person to our local sweethearts.
So now I will turn my attention to the interesting brochures: Your Role in a Cholera Outbreak and Understanding Yellow Fever. Are we having fun yet? Do my arms still hurt from the shots?
Stayed tuned...
As we find ourselves gearing up for our African Odyssey, my mind skips back to years ago; you might even call them the olden days. When the boys were young we seldom traveled as a couple. Most of our vacations were family ones. Young parents understand this. When we did travel, I remember the long lists written in bold letters (better for Grandma to read) and left in multiple places throughout the house. The phone numbers seldom needed an international code because we didn't stray too far afield with regularity.
Those lists were peppered with doctor numbers and those of helpful neighbors and carpoolers. Boy, if we had done carpool in the digital age it would have saved me from printing mini schedules for the visor in the car and big ones to transfer to the date book for my gal pals. Oh well, just this once, I was born too soon.
But we are youngsters no more as we join the masses of our peers who juggle being a grandparent, active retiree and caregiver to their own parents. Paul and I are not alone. In the grandparent department, we are grateful, not just for the seven unique and rambunctious blessings we have been given, but for their parents who with enthusiasm and love are present, nurture and set boundaries for their children. So cross one item off our list. Well done, Krupp's and their fine ladies.
Regarding our active retiree status, I don't believe either one of us would suggest we are the people we were five years ago. While we enjoy good health and an active lifestyle, we both power through some irritating degenerative issues. Like it or not, those are the facts. Cross off 50% of hanging out in the golden years.
Yet we are still parenting Paul's mom, Merrill, at 98 years old. She has been with us in the Georgetown area after a serious fall four years ago. We have been well supported by our local boys, Californian Ted who always manages to find a business appointment nearby and Paul's brother, Mike, who makes a convoluted passage from Florida with regularity. In fact, I think if we asked him to come every month, he would find a way. Max's and Joe's dogs absolutely own the nursing home; their arrival always generates a lot of excitement.
But here we are, ready to set off on a long trip to Africa in the middle of the period of Merrill's greatest decline to date. We are torn; not because we fear her care will suffer, but because we hate the idea of being away should something happen........not to mention the considerable difficulties of returning stateside on the fly. But had we hovered around for the past four years we would have missed a lifetime of wonderful adventures so we continue to move forward. The printed lists have been replaced with flash drives...yet we still give good-bye kisses in person to our local sweethearts.
So now I will turn my attention to the interesting brochures: Your Role in a Cholera Outbreak and Understanding Yellow Fever. Are we having fun yet? Do my arms still hurt from the shots?
Stayed tuned...
My old dog owned the nursing home, my new dog is just cute
ReplyDeleteHe's not just cute, he's WAY cute!
ReplyDelete