Luckily, I have 2 hands.
There seem to be certain genetic traits that have passed from grandmother to granddaughter. They are both, shall we say, stubborn, perhaps set in their ways, often very, very certain they are absolutely right and they share a deep seated dislike of the medical profession (although each oddly has one doctor they actually like, but just one each).
Trying to care for both of them can be, well, trying at times. I am pretty much midway in age between my mother and Eliza (OK, well a tad closer to my mother's age, but let's not quibble). I've never liked the phrase "sandwich generation" but I suppose it applies. The type of sandwich depends on the day. Some days things are going smoothly and it's a nice crunchy messy BLT that I can sit back and enjoy. Other days it is more of a sticky peanut butter (no jelly) sandwich and it is all one can do to hold those two pieces of bread together.
Some people question my choices for Eliza when it comes to how she spends her free time and suggest she would benefit from classes or sporting activities on the weekends. Rather than join a gym class or take swimming lessons on the weekends, we spend time with my mother. To me it is more important that Eliza get to know her grandmother and spend time with her now. While none of knows when the end is near, as mother points out, at 89 years old you can do some basic math :) I think it is also healthy for my mom to have Eliza near her. The change in my mom's spirit is almost visible as Eliza sits on her lap explaining the intricacies of the world of fire and water Pokemon or teaching my mother how to use an iPad. Watching the iPad lessons alone is worth foregoing some Saturday ballet lessons.
So the next time you want to get all cranky on me that Eliza isn't learning team spirit by playing soccer on the weekends, remember that she is learning compassion by helping her Nana get her cane and empathy by comforting her Nana when she doesn't feel well. Eliza is learning that the older generation is not to be cast aside and forgotten, but rather to be loved and cherished. And she is learning that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Just ask her Nana who knows all about Pokemon.
Some people question my choices for Eliza when it comes to how she spends her free time and suggest she would benefit from classes or sporting activities on the weekends. Rather than join a gym class or take swimming lessons on the weekends, we spend time with my mother. To me it is more important that Eliza get to know her grandmother and spend time with her now. While none of knows when the end is near, as mother points out, at 89 years old you can do some basic math :) I think it is also healthy for my mom to have Eliza near her. The change in my mom's spirit is almost visible as Eliza sits on her lap explaining the intricacies of the world of fire and water Pokemon or teaching my mother how to use an iPad. Watching the iPad lessons alone is worth foregoing some Saturday ballet lessons.
So the next time you want to get all cranky on me that Eliza isn't learning team spirit by playing soccer on the weekends, remember that she is learning compassion by helping her Nana get her cane and empathy by comforting her Nana when she doesn't feel well. Eliza is learning that the older generation is not to be cast aside and forgotten, but rather to be loved and cherished. And she is learning that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Just ask her Nana who knows all about Pokemon.
