I've read plenty about it--the sandwich generation, but until now, I didn't understand it because I hadn't experienced it. It's been a steep learning curve. I'm constantly trying to find the balance between my parents' needs and my family's needs. I certainly have not done a perfect job of it. I find myself going before the Throne of Grace for both my parents and my children on a daily basis. It's a very weak and humbling position in which to be, but I know it's exactly where God wants me.
Friday was a sandwich day. I got a call about 6 a.m. informing me that my mom had been taken to the emergency room. I got out of bed, quickly got ready, packed a hospital bag and headed out. Here's a pro tip--never go to the hospital with a friend or relative without a bag packed with high protein snacks, a water bottle, Advil (you will get a headache while there) and plenty of reading material.
When I arrived at the hospital, Mom, true to form, thought all of the fuss was much ado about nothing. It wasn't exactly nothing, but it could have been much worse, so we were both thankful for that. I distracted her with stories about the kids while the doctor did his work. I was in disbelief when they released her just two hours later.
After meeting up with the staff at mom's house and giving them the doctor's instructions, I talked with Dad who had just gotten into town. Mom had been approved to go on a little shopping trip with Dad, so all was well.
It was nearly lunch time and I had a full day of work ahead of me at home, so I headed that direction. Grace called me on the way. She had been asked by the woman who does my hair if she wanted to work at her salon. First, Grace would need to pass a little test. She would have to do a foil hair color, a long, layered cut and a buzz cut.
"Mom, do you have time to get your hair colored today?"
"Well, how long will it take?"
"About 3 1/2 hours."
Gulp.
"Grace, I'm making a turkey dinner for your brother's birthday today. . . alright, I'll do it."
Grace was relieved. The person she had lined up for the color couldn't make it at the last minute. Mom to the rescue.
I got home, ate a quick lunch, prepped the turkey, stuck it in the fridge and gave clear instructions on how to get it cooked (America's Test Kitchen style--breast side down at 425 degrees for 1 hour, then flip the turkey, 325 until done). Grace grabbed all of her tools and I grabbed my hospital bag. I was in it for the long haul. Once my hair was done (and beautiful, I might add), Grace asked me to text my friend to see if her daughter would like a free haircut. The only caveat--she needed to come to the salon right now. She was game. Yay!
Next up--the buzz cut requirement. Before I could deal with that, however, I needed to make sure dinner was on track. I scurried home, gave some orders to peel potatoes and made sure the rest of the menu was coming along. It wasn't, but at least the turkey was in the oven.
Matt, Paul and I then headed out again. Paul was to be the recipient of the buzz cut. We dropped him at the salon and then went to go pick up Matt's car at the mechanic's before he closed. All three of our car were in the shop last week, but that's a whole 'nother story.
By the time I got back home, my Mom and Dad had arrived. Mom had been given clearance to join us for the evening. My sister and brother-in-law would be over an hour in coming, but that was o.k. because I needed every bit of that time to finish making the dinner. A big shout-out goes to Elizabeth, who was a long-suffering servant all that day. She even taught Lydia how to make the famous family Texas sheet cake recipe.
My Dad picked up Grace and Paul at the salon right before dinner. It had been a marathon for Grace, but we think she passed the test. The cosmetologists at the salon were impressed with her work. We'll see how God works out the details. Paul loved his dinner (that guy can eat!) and Joseph cried when he missed his chance to blow out the birthday cake candles.
I won't lie. I wanted to have a good cry several times on Friday, but I didn't have time. So instead, I threw up some arrow prayers and by the grace of God, He got me through it. And then I had a good cry and good prayer time in the middle of the night.
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
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