Reflections of a Daughter of the Silent Generation and Mother of Generation Y
Sorting through Grammy’s records, I discovered she’d written under the pen name Acadia Manset, for her favorite haunts in Maine. The way she’d cared for her aging mother, Dora, inspired me to care for my mom like she had, in the sanctity of our home.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
When I reminded her that her license had expired and reassured her that I’d be happy to drive her anywhere she wanted to go, Mom nodded and smiled. What a relief that the driving question was behind us.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
How could we be so blessed a third time around? He’s so many things…among them a constant reminder that this is not a limited supply of love and beauty we are dealing with, it’s an endless one.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
According to the sign out front of a local church, “THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING. BE SURE TO MAKE TIME FOR GOD.” My middle square – “Spirituality and Faith” was a great place to start!
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Starting to feel breathless with all the What Ifs, I remembered this AA slogan. The nurse drew blood and collected urine in record time and, free to go, I asked Mom what she wanted for lunch. “Something meaty,” she replied: First Things First!
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Sunday morning, two days after we stopped the Tramadol, as she tried to make sense of the prior couple of days, Mom asked, “Who’s going to keep me from going crazy?” I was glad I could answer, “I will do my best, Mom, and Doug will help too.”
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Speak quietly with confidence, no need to yell.
Speak quietly with confidence, ‘til then listen well.
Don’t speak out of turn, when it’s not mine to learn.
Let them hold their own, now that they’re grown.
Forgive myself, I meant no harm.
Living learning, here on the farm.
(February 13, 2015)
—from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Thanks to Mom, I’d learned to smile, even when it isn’t easy. Thanks to Mom, I was still smiling now.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Earnest 18-year-old you with me in your heart, asks me straight up “What next?”
You don’t want me to miss out on my life making sure that she doesn’t miss out on hers.
“I’m not sure,” I admit – I tell you the truth, cuz I value your two cents, and you’d see through anything else.
“I’m taking it a day at a time, trying to draw out this phase, trusting I’ll know when it’s time for a change.
Seriously, how lucky am I, that in the midst of your world, you see me sitting here, and give me just what I need.
Although I’m still not sure what is next, I promise to take care of me the best I can, in the mix.
All I ask is you do the same…What’s next for you?
Great things, I have no doubt – and I will cheer your every step.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
“Do you have a plan in case of fire?” asked the fit physical therapist assigned to determine Mom’s need for in-home care. She looked him in the eye and answered definitively, “I’d put it out.”
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
