Sandwiched
I had what could only be described as a Sandwich Generation Day the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
I started out by going to the grocery store (there was no way I was heading there on my usual day that week, which is Friday). I got home, put away the groceries and some laundry, then checked emails and did my grant consulting work.
Next, I took my youngest son Jacob to the pediatrician’s office for a booster vaccine. Even though he can drive, he’s not 18 yet so I had to accompany him. Then it was time to go back home, do more work, and wolf down some lunch so I could be ready to take my mother to a follow-up doctor’s appointment.
Thanks to my phone, I worked some more while we were waiting at the doctor’s office. Once I got back home after the appointment it was time to work on a grant application, even though most folks were leaving their jobs by then since it was the day before a holiday. One of my clients was having surgery soon and I wanted to be certain he had plenty of time to review a draft of the proposal.
Thankfully dinner was cooking all day in the Crock-Pot, so that made meal preparation easier. After dinner, it was time to do my strengthening exercises and hoop dancing, since I knew just the thought of any kind of exercise was going to go out the window over the long holiday weekend. I’m at the age where if you don’t do some sort of exercise once in a while, the pounds sneak up on you like a ninja.
As I looked back over my day at 8:00 that evening, I instantly felt wiped out. But I had to laugh. There couldn’t be a better illustration of what we sandwich generation members often have to go through.
Granted, not every day is like this for me. But it’s not an uncommon scenario, and there are times when things are even crazier than what I just described.
One way I make certain to stay healthy (and sane!) is to keep my Sundays as quiet as possible. In recent years I’ve called them my Sacred Sundays. While it’s challenging to escape all of my responsibilities, I still strive to keep the day as free as possible so I can rest and recharge. And it’s done wonders for me. I typically put up my feet and indulge in a cup of tea and a good book for at least a few hours.
I figure the Good Lord took one day off, so we certainly should. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be a Sunday.
If you nodded your head in understanding as you read about my Sandwich Generation Day, I encourage you to pick your own sacred time each week to truly escape from it all. Your mind, body, heart and soul will thank you for it.