Sandwiched In

A lot has been said about Boomers sandwiched between childcare and eldercare. I was feeling fortunate, perhaps a little smug, that my childcare years are over and I can give full attention to the elders’ needs.

However, as some wise women have reminded me, “You’re always a mother.” Today, I’m feeling like a peanut butter and mashed banana sandwich (not very pretty, but hey, I’m in the South).

Though I know I’m doing the right thing to be here for my parents, especially for Mom’s unanticipated extended stay in the hospital, my heart aches to miss my youngest son’s graduation from college. The trip was planned for months, and I was just about to click on “purchase” to buy the plane tickets when Mom was diagnosed with cancer. I still held out hope that the eldercare situation would be under control and I could find a last-minute cheap seat to Paris, no less, but it ain’t going to happen.

I console myself (and my son) with the rational thought that there will be many more opportunities for us to do fun things together – even travel to Paris – and belated celebrations can be just as fun. My parents, on the other hand, could be gone within the year.

But I’m not feeling too rational right now. In fact, I’m having my own little pitty party, a soggy sandwich that tastes like tears.

Sue