Contacts

Every cell phone has an area for contacts. I had very few saved in mine. I had close family, one doctor, Shelby's vet and a few friends. I put them in years ago and never added to the list. This week, I added more names than I originally had. None of the names are directly for me. They are all for my parents. I now have their doctor's, Access a Ride, taxi services, social workers, home healthcare aides, physical therapy offices and more. I had been working with these numbers on pieces of scrap paper but that system was not working well.

Little Ears

This morning my younger granddaughter is getting tubes in her ears. After spending last winter with many ear infections, the doctors decided to insert tubes so her ears will not have fluid in them. My younger son also had that done when he was a baby. It is a scary thing to have your child under anesthesia and in surgery. I remember the day vividly down to where I sat and what I ate. I feel bad for my son, having to worry about his daughter. It will be an upsetting day, but when it is over she will be better. I can't wait until I hear that the surgery is done and she is smiling again.

Supplies

My car trunk is full to the top. This morning my sister and I are bringing supplies to our parents. Since they have spent the last 15 winters in Florida, they are not very prepared for New York winters. We are bringing them warm clothes and coats in addition to homecooked food, cooked by my sister. As of this week they will have everything they need to be comfortable for the winter season. All loose ends are tied up so life can resume.

A Child's Eyes

I saw my grandson on Sunday at his mother's baby shower. My parents were also there. The following week my dad needed a procedure on his arm. That is when my sister and I decided to hire an aide to be with my parents so they would not be alone during the week. We needed to stock the house with food and make sure things are in order. We needed to get Access A Ride for my dad so he does not have to drive home from  dialysis at night. It was a bit stressful, but things are in place.When I saw my grandson on Thursday he looked at me and asked, "Grandma, did you get old?" I was shocked. He saw the stress on my face and noticed that I looked tired. He interpreted it as being old. A four year old child was tuned into my feelings and his eyes looked at me with such compassion that I almost cried. The eyes of a child are pure and honest. 

Help

It is never an easy thing to realize that your life will never be the same. My parents are in their 90's and have been active and self sufficient until now. Yesterday we hired an aide to be with them and oversee their well being when my sister and I are not there. It was strange to have someone else in their house. Strange but comforting. My sister and I are no longer able to handle the daily needs of our parents. There is a lot going on in our personal lives and we cannot cut ourselves in half. It was time to call in the reserves. It will be a new normal.

Tools of the Trade

All professions have the "tools of their trade". Plumbers have a wrench. Electricians have wires. Carpenters have hammers. Doctors have their stethoscopes. The stethoscope is a tool that is used for 5 seconds but brings in a lot of money. It is usually worn like a necklace to show a doctor's stature. I once put one around my neck and it was really uncomfortable. If you are in a hospital and a doctor pops his head in to say hello, as long as he listens to your heart, he will charge your insurance. Stethoscope = revenue.

Better Late

I just got home from my parent's house. My father needed a procedure done for his dialysis and I took the day off. I was out of my normal morning routine and for the first time ever I forgot to write this blog. At the end of the day my son called to ask if I was alright since the blog was not up. Had he not done that I would have broken my perfect streak. He called and I write.