When It All Comes Together

Monday, May 10, 2010

When It All Comes Together

Friday, I left Timothy at home with Greg while I took Mam-ma Polly to the beauty shop and did her grocery shopping - and ours. I was also buying food to prepare for a Mother's Day lunch for everyone yesterday... chicken, baked potatoes, salad, cole slaw, broccoli/cauliflower and cheese, rolls, and fresh strawberries and brownies or blueberry muffins with yogurt cheese for dessert. In my grocery cart, I had diapers and bottle liners... and Ensure for my grandmother... both ends of the spectrum!Yesterday, as we enjoyed our lunch, gifts and cards, and the "Timothy floor show," I looked at five generations represented... a new mother (Jasmine), my sister's first Mother's Day as a grandmother, two great-grandmothers - my mom and Greg's mom, and a great-great-grandmother (Mam-ma Polly). Jasmine even brought me a "Mother's Day" card and acknowledge me as an "other mother" to her and Timothy.

As I watched my grandmother playing with Timmy - and him giving her kisses - it all came together for me. Yes, this is a sandwich - and a wild and crazy one at times - but this is also a time to treasure. I hope Mam-ma lives long enough for Timmy to truly remember her... but if not, we'll give him memories to cherish via photos, stories and more. Meanwhile, it was a very good day in our house to celebrate mothers.Pictured below...

My mother-in-law, known to Timmy as "Grandma Elaine."
My sister, my mom, and her husband.
Jasmine and Timothy
Timothy with Mam-ma Polly and Grandma Elaine
Timothy with Grandma Elaine
Timothy and Mam-ma - his great-great-grandmother
Kisses for Mam-ma Polly

1 comment:

Mark said...: Wow. Five generations. That's more than we ever got under one roof in my family. Not surprising considering I was 33 when my first child was born, and my father was 30 for my birth! Doesn't leave much room for that fourth generation -- much less the fifth!; May 10, 2010 at 12:58 PM

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When Heads and Hearts Collide

Why "The Deli" and What is the "Sandwich Generation?"

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Why "The Deli"? Because just like the wide variety of sandwiches found there, each person is different. Some of you are rearing young children while caring for a grandparent or an elderly parent. Some of you have grandchildren to nurture while caring for aging parents, aunts and uncles. I am involved in activities for young nieces, nephews, and my friends' children, while caring for my 98-year-old grandmother. We are sandwiched in between two distinct age groups, and finding our own "niche" can be a challenge. My friend's mother fell recently and injuried herself seriously. My friend said, "Overnight I went from having a life of my own to living my mother's." It is indeed hard to keep your focus some days and maintain the proper perspective. And that's where "The Deli" comes in. This is a place for us to share, vent, commiserate, seek advice, and did I mention -vent?! It is a place for us to realize that we are not alone - and that we do still have an identity! So bookmark this blog and visit often. Help make this blog a viable resource for those who are in the same boat. Together we can make our individual "sandwiches" a little easier to swallow!