Paying it forward

I know I'm supposed to be part of the sandwich generation.  I think about it every time I visit my Dad.  Dad and his wife are in their 80s.  They're supposed to be infirm and needy.  Instead they always welcome us with a wonderful home cooked meal, and fresh flowers in the guest house.  They take us out to dinner and buy us gifts. They basically attend to our every need.  I know, something is wrong with this picture.  I'm supposed to be organizing their bills and helping them shop for scooter chairs.  I should be shuttling them back and forth from orthopedic appointments and making sure they've got enough groceries in the pantry.


But honestly, they won't let us do anything.  We try, we really do.  Once, when they weren't looking, I managed to empty the dishwasher.  Another time I actually poured my own glass of wine.  We were thrilled when they unexpectedly asked my husband to replace a couple of out of reach light bulbs in their bathroom.  We got a tall ladder and my husband climbed up and unscrewed the bulbs, then I handed him the new ones.  My dad and his wife were endlessly grateful.  It's nice to know that the generations can count on each other.


As we pulled out of their driveway at the end of the visit we had a lovingly packed bag of snacks wedged between us and hand-written directions from my dad for the trip home, in case map-quest led us astray.  But I have to say we felt pretty good; thanks to us they should now have plenty of light over their bathroom vanity. 


I wake up at home this morning a particularly un-sandwiched woman.  One daughter is off at college, the other is fresh out of college with a new job.  She's even got benefits.  On top of that our two Bichons are still at the kennel.  I know, I'm lucky.  I know life could throw me a curve-ball at any moment.  But for right now I'm taking a minute to appreciate the unique position I find myself in.  What else can one do but be appreciative, and pay it forward.  

My daughter will be here this weekend while she visits grad schools.  I've got a craft project planned, and I'll make her favorite chocolate chip pumpkin bread.  I hope the weather stays cool because I've already put super cozy polar fleece sheets on her bed. 


I better get going --- I've got some serious nurturing to do.