Reflections of a Daughter of the Silent Generation and Mother of Generation Y
There were moments, when nothing seemed as it was and everything seemed newly tenuous. Dad’s “we shall see” and “bottom line” and Mom’s “living is for living” and “aren’t we lucky” reminded me to be patient, to simplify, to let go of fear, and to count our blessings.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
I worried when Mom died, we might lose Cinnamon too. Then, somewhere along the way, she reset her sights. It was as if the love we’d given her as a puppy, she gave to Mom during their life together, and all the love Mom gave her during that time, Cinnamon was passing on to us now.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
When I discovered our eleven-year-old bunny rabbit sprawled out in her cage, I was hit with disbelief. Even when death is expected, peaceful, and quick, it can be hard to accept. I’m grateful for my spouse and neighbor Mandy who helped me through.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
There’s plenty of literature out there about the challenge of being part of the “Sandwich Generation.” I too have sleepless nights worrying about Mom, as well as the kids. At the same time, I gotta admit, it’s pretty cool.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
I learned long ago, in Al-Anon, that when we feel irritable or unreasonable, we need to “HALT” – it may be that we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely and/or Tired. Sometimes HALTing means putting our own feet up, sometimes it means taking a moment to learn from others who are doing just that.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
In Barbara Cooney’s Ms. Rumphius, a young girl tells her elderly aunt, “When I grow up, I too will go to faraway places, and when I grow old, I too will live beside the sea” to which her aunt responds, “There is a third thing you must do. You must do something to make the world more beautiful.”
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
In celebration, I recommit to these goals set in March 2016, shortly after Mom moved in with us:
For Today:
Serenity
Courage
Wisdom
Speak quietly
Speak truth
Live and let live
Let go and let Love
❤️
Forgive
Embrace
Celebrate
—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
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
Our ten-year-old, done with elementary school and on his way to middle school, sat at the kitchen counter one early summer morning,
“You know what I don’t get?” he said to me.
“They start preparing us to be big when we’re only three.
We go to pre-school to get ready for kindergarten,
To kindergarten to get ready for first grade,
To first grade to get ready for second,
Second to get ready for third,
Third to get ready for fourth,
Fourth to ready for fifth,
And fifth for sixth.
Now there’s sixth for seventh,
Seventh for eighth,
then eighth for ninth,
ninth for high school,
high school for college, and
college for your job.”
Our ten-year-old son, with the big blue eyes,
looked at me with clarity and asked,
“When does a three-year-old get to be three?”
—from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
