1414051247
Trade Paperback
312 pages
Apr 2004
Authorhouse
Review | Author Bio | Read an Excerpt
Excerpt:
I
The Lull Before the Storm
Kindred Spirits and Caregivers
Wheaties and Wine
Hospice and Hope
Summer Storms from the Veranda
Domestic Schizophrenia
Parents and Children
Kindred Spirits and Caregivers
Subj: Hi Sally!
Date:
From: debbiesb13@aol.com
Hi Sally –
Hope
all was well when you got home from World Golf and you missed out on the
I was
paying some bills for my mom today and thought I'd send you the phone number
for AARP customer service in case you still want to inquire about insurance for
your mother. They're very nice and one
of the few places I've dealt with that don't give you a hassle when you are not
the person named on the account.
Well
that's about it from here. Keep in touch.
Take care, Debbie
Subj: Re: hello in
From: sarahjf50@hotmail.com
Good morning Debbie!
Thanks for the AARP number--I will use it. I am up to
my ears in liquidating my widowed mother’s assets, getting all legal paperwork
done etc. etc., but these are all things that when in place, will not have to
be done again.
We have had lots of rain, but not to the point of
flooding in our “neck of the woods,” just to the point of refilling the
reservoirs and have an abundance of green growing things...rather like a
tropical paradise. Any rainy/cool day we have now, is one less day to be hot
this summer. My roses are growing well and producing some lovely little
flowers--this first growing season for them will not produce a lot of big gorgeous
blooms, as the plants need to acclimate to their new environment, but the
fragrances are lovely.
It was really nice to meet you and spend some time
together. Our next conference/whatever, will be more enjoyable as we can look
forward to visiting. I feel like we are kindred spirits!
Hope your boys (including Tom) are enjoying summer in
your new home in
Well, time to pack (again!!). We’re off to
Hasta Luego!
Subj: how was your trip?
Date:
From: debbiesb13@aol.com
Hi Sally!
How was
You and my friend Trish are getting me quite interested in growing roses. I love the fragrance, but have always thought them too difficult for my meager (OK, non-existent) gardening skills.
At the
conference you mentioned your daughter
By the way, how did your mother and your son Anthony manage together while you and Bob were away on vacation? That would NEVER have worked with our boys Travis and Austin. Even being teenagers, my mom wouldn’t let them cross the street.
It was great to spend time with you at the conference and I also feel like we are kindred spirits. It's just too bad we didn't know sooner, I had the travel Scrabble in my suitcase!
Well, time for
me to pick up
Take care, Debbie
Subj: Tune in tomorrow…
From: sarahjf50@hotmail.com
Hi Debbie!
Saw all our friends from college days, and they look
so much older than I do (yuck-yuck!). It was so nice to catch up on everyone's
lives.
Now we are home and life here is like a soap opera. We
have a wedding in our home next weekend for our youngest daughter Gina. Wedding
arrangements have been hasty as the couple, who have been engaged since
December, were a little too ambitious in their quest to “become one” and now
they will soon be “three!” Yes, that makes two grandchildren to be born in
December.
The good news is that our two daughters are sharing
all their pregnancy woes with each other and have formed a strong support unit.
Am slowly but methodically getting my mother's affairs
in order, and after the wedding we will seriously start looking for a place for
her to call her own, nearby. With all the stuff going on in our family right
now, I know she is looking forward to a little less excitement.
I thank God for his blessings that I can smile, while
in the midst of family issues. On any given day I am dealing with four
generations, frequently all under the same roof. Time for me to get a job...what do you think?
I think it could be my salvation! That, and a good sense of humor!
Speaking of roses, if you do take the plunge into
roses, I'd be happy to give you advice via e-mail, as I grew roses in
Must go, time to finalize flowers and cake for
wedding--Good Lord! It's a zoo around here! Will keep you posted on the “Young
and the Pregnant”--
Wouldn't it be nice to be sitting on a veranda
somewhere right now, sipping wine and playing a good game of Scrabble?
Subj: the world turns here too
Date:
From: debbiesb13@aol.com
Hi Sally!
Just
came up to the computer to kill some time waiting for Tom to get home and got
your e-mail. Nothing like a smile to brighten the day.
We
are leaving this evening for four days in San Antonio/New Braunfels. It'll be
our first family vacation in two years as all the trips we planned since then
have been cancelled due to my parents' various illnesses. It won't be long, but
it will be family time and it will be relaxing (picture the tube floating
lazily down the Comal).
Glad
to hear you had a good time on your trip. Sorry though to hear about Bob's
mom. I can certainly sympathize, but it
doesn't ease the pain. I'll be keeping her in my prayers.
Sounds
like you certainly have your hands full. A wedding at home is an ambitious
undertaking! Good luck!!
This
last week or so has been a little trying. My 87-year-old mother, Irene, who is
in an assisted living facility, is insisting that I am somehow keeping her from
seeing my dad. She refuses to accept the physical aspect of his passing away
and wants to see him face to face. She knows in her heart this isn't possible,
but somewhere between denial and dementia she can't always sort it out.
Fortunately,
even though my dad has passed away, the hospice chaplain, Nancy still comes by
to see my mom. My mother confides in her much more comfortably than with me,
and
I
finished this week with liquidating the last of their assets. It was a relief
and sad at the same time. When we get back next week I have to get the
neurologist to come by to see her. She also has been destroying her medicine
since she found out we were taking a vacation.
If
you ever need anyone to blow off steam to about the frustrations of caring for
your mom's finances, medical needs, etc. you know where to go. Hopefully you
and your mother will be able to have fun finding her a new home and getting it
all to her liking when things settle down. It's good that you are looking for a
place near by, as it will make life much easier on you in the long run. When we
moved here from
I had
to laugh at what you said about getting a job to reduce life's challenges. I've
gotten to be friends with one of the ladies who runs the food service at the
Rosemont (Mom's asst. living). That's exactly why she's working. She's our age,
two kids in high school, and got tired of everyone in her immediate and
extended family turning to her to do all their errands etc. because she wasn't
working. She swears she has more free time now (although I really doubt that).
Actually, I think you hit the nail on the head with the good sense of humor.
Thanks
for the rose info. We have a great place behind the garage as you suggested
that gets plenty of sun.
If
you ever come to
Well,
Tom just called and is on his way home. I'm so excited! Four days, just the
four of us - it's been too long. Good luck with the wedding and keep that sense
of humor.
Love, Deb
Subj: Re: life is beautiful?
Date:
From: sarahjf50@hotmail.com
Hello!
I looked at the date on your e-mail and am sorry it
takes me so long to answer...we were in high gear last week with the wedding. I
had to put my mother's affairs on hold, tell my daughter I couldn't come to
visit my grandson, and counsel our son on how to break up with a girl who wants
to marry him (he's sixteen...) plus plan a wedding in less than two weeks.
The wedding did happen, it was very nice, and
hopefully Gina and our new son-in-law, Stephan will live happily ever after. We
met his family, who are from
Meanwhile, Gina and
Your mother sounds like she's going through some very
typical emotional symptoms for one who suffers from dementia. Sounds like you
have her in a nice place with good people to care for her. My prayers are with
you as you work with all the details of her life. And yes, it is comforting to
talk to someone who has a similar situation of care giving. Isn't it
interesting how once you become a caregiver for your parents, that you realize
that there are a lot of people out there experiencing the same situation!
At times I feel so stretched between four generations
and there is no time to think about important things like painting my
toenails...or taking a day to just do whatever comes to mind. On the other hand, I do realize my life could
be a lot worse (don't even go there) so I count my blessings (which are
many--thank you, Lord) and keep plodding on.
I really have had enough crises this year to last the
next decade. The interesting thing is that none of these issues are generated
by Bob and I. They are coming from the generations that orbit around us. I
guess that is what some people refer to as the golden years? That must apply to
people who never had children, they were orphans and had no siblings. As for
the rest of the world, our responsibilities seem to be multiplying instead of
diminishing. I can see the future now, I will be living in squalor, going in
and out of consciousness due to strokes and Alzheimer's, perennially giving
advice and attempting to cook dinner for someone.
Think I'll start my new Harry Potter
book tonight. Have you read these books? Total fun and fantasy. A literary
vacation.
Speaking of vacations, hope you had a wonderful time
in San Antonio & New Braunfels!
Great places to have some fun!
Take care, stay in the shade, and enjoy these long
days of summer,
Love, Sal