Sandwiched
It’s easy when you’re in the sandwich generation to get so caught up in the care of your elderly parent that you sometimes forget to have fun with them. Between managing the groceries, medications, appointments, their overall schedule and finances, taking the time to just enjoy their presence can be hard. Especially when you also have your spouse, children, work and home to take care of.
Thankfully I remembered one important, fun tradition last Saturday and shared it with Mom. She and I have enjoyed a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake® together since I was a little girl. I had planned to get her one for weeks, but life kept getting in the way.
With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, I knew I was running out of time. So off I went to McDonald’s last Saturday morning. After waiting in the drive-thru line for 20 minutes (fast food isn’t so fast anymore) I finally got her shake.
Mom didn’t have a good day the previous Friday. It had been cold and rainy, with a dramatic drop in temperature from last Thursday. That’s always a formula for aches and pains for older folks. So I wasn’t sure how she’d be feeling last Saturday. But thankfully the warmer temperature and sunshine helped her tremendously. She was all smiles when I walked in the door – and her eyes widened in delight when I presented the shake to her.
“Oh, boy!” she literally exclaimed.
We don’t call her Little Miss Sweet Tooth for nothing.
Mom was pleased that I remembered our tradition, and I was happy to sit down and chat with her and not be in a rush for once. We had some good laughs and were excited to make plans for the following Saturday with my friend Stacey who was coming to Noblesville.
“It’s about time I got you outside for awhile,” I teased her, “You need some fresh air!”
Mom was in great spirits when I left, and so was I. Taking her that shake brought back memories of shopping trips in Mishawaka, where I grew up, and other fun adventures we had shared throughout the years.
If you’re in the sandwich generation, I want to encourage you to make plans to have some fun with your elderly parents. The warmer temperatures will certainly help. Enjoy a family tradition, or create a new one! Taking that time is absolutely worth it and you’ll treasure the memories for years to come.