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
Still Smiling : )
What Next? (dropping our youngest off at college)
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
Boomerang (and the almost empty nest)
I never expected that our eldest would come home to live between college and graduate school. I was going to miss her and l looked forward to the next time she’d land back home, whatever the duration.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Fountain of Youth – hanging out with our Millennial kids and their Millennial friends
I knew I’d miss our Millennial kids when they went away to school; it hit me now, just how much I’d miss their Millennial friends as they set out on their next chapters too.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Our Middle
Not that he has to, still, it’s a fact, he brings balance to our family. Thinking of him reminds baby-of-the-family me to step back, take a deep breath, and calm myself – to be less tornado and more glue.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Under One Roof
Under one roof – a tremendous relief – our whole family, even when it’s brief.
Truly, I’m glad they’re livin’ their dreams – still, it’s not always as great as it seems.
Keepin’ it simple, I miss ’em when they’re away – not said to hold ’em back, just to enjoy this day.
There’s nuthin’ in the world like our home when it’s full – the laughter, the fun, even the bull.
A rambunctious crowd – I’d have it no other way – this is our family, each with our say.
Monday will come, as will the Fall, we’ll rearrange, still we’ll always be all.
Under one roof – a tremendous relief – our whole family, even when it’s brief.
—from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
a thousand words
Time to Be Three
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
Firstborn Fun
As Siena turned 24, I thought I’d share some things about her that had held true since the start. She’s humorous and she humor’s us, most of the time. She loves the color blue and coffee talk. She can make anything fun, even exercise, just ask the animals.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Windows Down, Music Up
I was one of Mom’s caregivers and, so far, I was doing just fine. I could do this. In fact, I loved doing this, even when it was hard, thanks to Mom’s amazing attitude and the incredible support we received.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
