As mentioned, Ouest got a new sewing machine. Aunt Beth is here so one night we asked, “Hey Beth, do you know how to sew?”
“Nooo, I can’t even menstruate.”
“What!?”
“I can’t even mend-straight.”
(This pic is Aunt Beth. Grammy’s twin sister.)
As I’m sure everyone has gathered by now, it’s been a hard couple of months around here. More than once I’d leave the hospital in the evening with the doctor telling me she was doing well and her numbers looked good, only to arrive the next morning and have him tell me her body was shutting down and she might not make it through the day. So, to see her at home, laughing on video calls, really does seem miraculous.
Grammy’s house is at capacity, with inflatable mattresses strewn about, but no, we’re not tripling up on the single beds. Things aren’t that bad.
Lowe entertaining us with movies that he makes. A budding Spielberg.
Seriously, I sometimes wonder how Arizona became a “snowbird” destination.
Afternoon sun. We always seem to find ourselves hanging out in the garage.
Constantly looking for fun little things to do around Tucson.
To Kill a Mockingbird. So good, even if we did get just about the last seats available.
Grammy’s dog Bridget has forsaken all others for her one true love, Ali.
Every day has been a step in the right direction for Grammy. Stronger every day and even back on her feet. The doctors told us to expect about five months, but she seems determined to crank up that timeline.
I’m not sure how these magic machines work, but they are pretty cool.
Rock tumbler. Who knew these things have to run 24 hours a day for nearly a month?
Road runners always escape.
Day out at the Desert Museum.
Pretty random collection of photos from the last few weeks as we care for Grammy and try to squeeze in a few hours here and there for the kids and each other. One thing I’ve learned the past couple months is that caretakers do not get nearly enough support or credit. And while this isn’t at all the way we wanted to be spending time with our kids, it’s also nice to know that there are some lessons being learned while we are here. Life isn’t always about doing what we want, it’s about doing what’s right. Empathy and caring matter. Good reminder for us adults in the family, too.
20 Comments on “Mend-Straight”
Mend-straight! Still laughing over that one! If there’s a more valuable lesson than “doing what’s right”, I don’t know what it could be.
Having been through several years of dementia, Alzheimer’s and lingering declines of parents, in-laws, and step-in-laws, I can say that most caregivers are under appreciated saints. I don’t know how they can do it, and they certainly aren’t well-paid. The kindness and good humor they showed our aging relatives made a real difference in their last years. And helped my wife and I immensely, we could not have done it ourselves.
The last three sentences of your post are the most important you’ve probably ever written. Those messages your children have no doubt picked up over the last few months. They have watched you live and breathe your values.
Totally agree! So great to see Grammy’s laughing face! Go Grammy! Wonderful that you continue to enjoy activities with your kids while caring for your mom….did you get to see the raptor show at The Desert Museum? Worth a return visit if you missed it-awesome!
❤️
So happy to see that Grammy is laughing and getting stronger day by day. I don’t think there is a more important lesson for your kids…you are certainly doing it the right way.
Side note on things to do in Tucson, check out Tanque Verde Falls if you haven’t already…I think Ouest and Lowe would really enjoy it. It’s about a 2 mile hike, more rock scramble really, to a beautiful waterfall, with some smaller ones along the way. We’ve done it on our last 2 trips and our kids say they could easily do it anytime we’re back.
Loved the Mend Straight comment, too funny.
BTW those One Wheels are fun machines, amazing technology, they do have one down side though, they can cutout when the battery runs low, I believe there’s some feedback that warns the rider before it shuts down.
Both my teenage sons still ride them, but when they first got them they both had pretty big crashes when the motor cut out at top speed, not sure if the newer models address that issue.
Go Grammy…go!
Warm thoughts and good vibrations coming your way!
I stumbled on your book in June of 2012. I have followed your adventures from that day on.
Just wanted to say thank you!
I hear ya about AZ as a snowbird mecca. Winters were a surprise to us, too. Fortunately, though it can get cold, we usually have bright sunny days and standing in the sun will raise the apparent temperature quite nicely. We were in t-shirts last week. I know it’s a bunch better than Oregon was and I suspect quite a bit better than Minnesota as well. And the saving grace to us, besides the sunshine, is that winters seem so short down here. As far as fun stuff in Tucson, the Pima Air & Space Museum (https://pimaair.org/) is supposed to be very cool and definitely looks intriguing driving by. We’ve never been but will definitely have to go one of these day.
The cafe at the air museum serves one of the best Sonora dogs in Tucson-YUM! Just read your latest post, Pat…so glad you got to the boat in time-whew!
Keeping Grammy in our thoughts for a full rapid recovery! 🙂
😊
Couple of other fun (and a little educational) ideas are the ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center & Mine Tours, the Titan Missile Museum, San Xavier Mission, and the Biosphere 2 (bit of a road trip). Hope Grammy continues to feel better.
Glad your Mum is on the mend.
Thinking about you all!
Good to see Grammy is improving. One thing I have learned in the past few years is that you are a “caregiver” not a taker. I started calling myself that and it became an easier job. (Note that Jim Norman also called himself that) It becomes a task of love and not a chore. This is a great life lesson for your children.
Watched a great movie the other night about Jessica Watson. You probably know that she was the 16 yo who did solo circumnavigation. I think it was on netflix. Some parts were kind of scary but she made it.
As a “zonie” I know that winters are not always warm but it is a relative thing. Warmer than Minnesota. We have had quite a bit of snow and cold weather up north. After all we are at 5800 feet. Most people who have never visited here think that it is all desert and cactus and 120 degrees. LOL
The greatest honor is to be there to help your parents through their numbered days on this earth…She looks happy to be surrounded by her family and enjoying every precious moment…Love is the Greatest Gift of All….BTW ,your mom’s smiles say it all…
You are all doing a beautiful thing for your Mom. I admire you even more than ever. Here’s where your children are learning valuable character lessons.
Grammy is so fortunate to have all of you! The modeling you and Ali demonstrate along with the time devoted to Grammy as she recuperate will continue to make Ouest and Lowe into even greater human beings. Keep on keepin’ on!
Love, Lorraine and Mike Burokas
We did the caretaking for both my folks back in the early 90s… Very difficult but would not trade a second. Blessings to all y’all..