Tag Archives: family

On Becoming the Other Side of the Sandwich

When your time in the “middle” of the sandwich generation is running out We lost my father-in-law in October. His passing, although challenging, was expected. It was a slow process that really began 6 years ago when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. We watched helplessly as the disease robbed pieces of him from us bitContinue reading “On Becoming the Other Side of the Sandwich”

There’s a Butter Dish for That!

The magic of cleaning up leftovers “I’ve got a butter dish for that!” your auntie exclaims as you assemble in the kitchen with the rest of the family who are courageous enough to help clean up this year’s colossal holiday family feast.  At this point in my life, there’s still an older grown-up at aContinue reading “There’s a Butter Dish for That!”

Ten Things I Loved about Thanksgiving Week

This holiday has always been special for my family. My husband’s family has been taking this particular week for vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for almost 40 years. My husband even proposed to me on Thanksgiving eve 24 years ago. This year, however, the tradition was almost broken. First, we weren’t goingContinue reading “Ten Things I Loved about Thanksgiving Week”

At Peace

I wrote my father-in-law’s obituary yesterday. Yet another task I didn’t expect to do in my life, but another ritual after death that must be done, and done well. He passed away early Sunday morning, just after midnight, nearly a week since the morphine was started. His passing was as peaceful as we could haveContinue reading “At Peace”

Transitioning

It’s a fancy word for dying. Why is it that we must make up elaborate words to describe horrible things in life? This is how I feel about this word: transitioning.  My father in law has been in hospice care, in his home, for several weeks now. As Parkinson’s makes its last ditch efforts toContinue reading “Transitioning”