Friday, September 7, 2012

Are You a Part of the Sandwich Generation?

 
Sandwich Generation


"The generation of middle-aged individuals who are pressured to support both aging parents and growing children. The sandwich generation is named so because they are effectively "sandwiched" between the obligation to care for their aging parents and children, who require financial, physical and emotional support. "

That's me.

My dad passed on 3 years ago and my mom is still with us.  She is blessed to be living at home, however she requires 24 hour care.   The hours "we" can't do - a hired care provider is there.  When we have staffing issues, this requires family to fill in those extra hours - often on short notice.  

Life here is really short.  The time we are given to share with and learn from our elderly loved ones is so precious.  

I've learned that my time is really not my own.  Choosing between what I  would "like" to do rather than what I "have" to do.  

Today is one of those days.  I will not be able to do the flea market at Grand Repeats.   

"Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy god giveth thee." Exodus 20: 12.

Blessings from Wisconsin.
 

4 comments:

  1. It was my honor to visit my mother for years in her nursing home. Her doctor asked my sister and me "Which one of you is going to quit your job to provide 24 hour care for your mother?". It drove reality home. How I miss her and wish she were here now to just sit and talk. Kudos for you for taking care of your own mom!

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  2. Sounds frustrating and thankful at the same time. I bet you do have your ups and downs, but when you don't have her anymore, I bet you won't have guilt for what you didn't do.

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  3. Amen! And what a wonderful example you are setting for your family! As well as being such a sweet blessing to your senior mom. The Sandwich Generation ain't easy. But it's full of sweet joys nonetheless. Especially when we surrender ourselves and our situation to our precious Lord!

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