OK! So, here's the deal. Because mom is laid up and can not take care of herself and my father (remember him? He is 90 years old!) it has fallen on my sister and I to take turns over at their house to help them. I have taken the day shift and my sister stays during the night. My poor mother cannot even get out of bed on her own and so therefore is totally reliant on us. This also means that meals need to be prepared so, I am doing the dinner shift and my sister prepares breakfast.
My father has become quite the character in his old age and thanks to his sense of humor, I am holding up better than expected - under the pressure of trying to take care of a many times difficult and demanding mother - who when well can try the patience of Job let alone when she is under the weather. He is a bit of a snitch and never misses a chance to tell on someone.
The other morning, my sis forgot to put the eggs in the pan to boil and instead just boiled the water. Well, he didn't know that there was a monitor in the kitchen as well as in mother's room. So, he shuffled over to her room and he told mom what happened. He did not know that every word could be heard in the kitchen as they were having a good laugh at my sister's expense. Another day he went to mother's room and pointed at her saying "Old lady I hope you never get out of that bed!" I said "pop that is not nice" he turned around and told me that he is enjoying all the attention and having us around. He is also enjoying all the great meals he is getting! Today, I made a delicious chicken stew, (pollo guisado con arroz) with white rice, sweet plantains and french bread. Well, he sat down to eat and I went on to feed mother in her room. When I came back to the dining room. He looked at me very seriously and told me that he did not like his dinner and that it did not taste very good. When I walked over to him and looked at his plate it was totally clean and the chicken bones looked like someone had bleached them.....he gave me a sly look and began laughing.......he then said dinner was "beautiful and delicious"........
I find myself reciting the Serenity Prayer on a daily basis and at the same time looking forward to each day and the new adventure that awaits me in the life of my parents. Many people would not take on the responsibility of caring for their ailing elderly parents. It is hard, thankless and grueling work. I say thankless not to be mean.....what I mean is that they are not even aware of what we do sometimes and almost expect the care we provide. It doesn't occur to them that most elderly wind up at nursing homes. As long as we can provide the care, our parents will never have to worry about ending up in a nursing home with strangers around them. But, I will admit at the end of the day, I go home and really enjoy my glass of wine; as I soothe my weary soul and tired body......... know what I mean? Got to love them..........lol
