Sandwich, Sub, Or Panini?

 Wednesday 2/22/23

The Moxham Mountain hike was on a perfect spring day. There were 3+ feet of snow on the ground with temperatures in the upper forties and a bluebird sky. Thank goodness we only needed to wear spikes as snow shoes are so much harder to hike in.

Our destination in view from part way to the summit.

Lunch view was sublime, but the snow soaked the seat of my pants.

The whole crew.

Saturday 3/24/23

How appropriate to read this article in The Washington Post about dealing with being the stuffing in the sandwich generation. The stresses of caring for aging parents along with assisting adult children (sometimes grandchildren too) are overwhelming for folks of my generation - most often women. I am currently at my mom's helping her with a  medical issue and the usual tasks of daily living which she is desperately holding on to. The guilt I feel when I'm not here is balanced by the stress and frustration when I am here. She refuses to pay for help which she can easily afford, and silently suffers until one of her kids steps in to right the ship. Thank God I have five like minded siblings who all provide some kind of help or another. (The sixth sibling has chosen to keep her distance for reasons which I can only guess at, but respect.) I seriously appreciate that we can share this load because it is immense and I'm sure we all feel the stress.

I'm just trying to enjoy time spent with mom, like the laughter filled game night last night, where the stresses get set aside and we just have fun. We won't always have this.



Comments

  1. MargaretMarch 25, 2023 at 12:48 PM

    What a beautiful hike! Your group is so big. I would love to find a hiking group. John's knee issues preclude going with with him. My younger daughter hikes but she would have to pick an easy one for me. The stuffing generation does describe it. I too am torn between mom, daughters and grandsons. It's a juggling act where the balls aren't under my control and are dropping at random.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maureen MMarch 27, 2023 at 5:37 AM

    Search for MeetUp.com groups in your area. That is how I found my hiking group as well as made a nice group of friends to travel and adventure with. It was scary at first, but most people are so nice and welcoming.

    ReplyDelete

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