The last 24 hours have certainly had that.
Daughter-of-Furtheron graduated yesterday. Terrific day with her and her friends. Her ceremony was early so Mrs F and her had gone and got the gown the night before and had her photos done. So we are all up early and on the road – only 30mins to the city but early morning traffic snarlups were not wanted. We were early! Of course. Into a coffee shop for caffeine liverners and then amusing the customers as she gowned up in there! Off to the cathedral and the ceremony. She looked so happy walking up and shaking the vice-chancellors hand. Drinks and chats with her friends and their relatives, our own photo shoot and then a lovely meal. All in all fantastic day – so proud of her achievements and we’ve another to look forward to once she completes her masters.
Home and then my wife saying “I can’t raise Mum on the phone”. We get there and the post is still backed up. Long story short she was collapsed on the floor, delirious, I think she’d been there at least over one night. She insisted she wasn’t at her house, was even more argumentative and aggressive than normal. She’s now in hospital with all the usual judgements from the nurses when you say you don’t know how long she’d been on the floor. Remember January – this happened then. We insisted she accept the panic alarm that was offered then. She had it round her neck. Even said to the ambulance crew – “I press that to get to hospital”. “Why didn’t you press it?” “I don’t want it. Don’t wan you coming here poking about”. I frankly despair at times … and my poor wife will again lose days and weeks in arranging for a care package which she will promptly refuse as soon as she is discharged and … I know I’ll be typing this again soon.
So… Highs and lows…
I’m so sorry for your wife. That must be really distressing.
And congratulations to your daughter.
You are so right. Highs and lows. They make life exciting, but tough.
Anne
Seems that these incidents come at those of us in the “sandwich years” in such pairs… Growing our children into adults, while caring for aging parents is a challenging portion of the life spectrum. You’ve captured it well here – find the balance, and don’t let the difficulties completely quench the joy.
Hoping you and Mrs. Furtheron find a reasonable solution for her mother…. ignore those judgmental nurses. Someday they will have a stubborn, elderly parent.
Life is a bit crazy this way. I do wish it was different at times.
Congratulations to your daughter!
I also know taking care of aging parents is stressful.
xo
Wendy
And that, my friend, is a proper encapsulation of life itself, isn’t it? I hope the lows get ironed out without much fuss. I hope my daughters make me half as proud as yours has made you. Salute.
Fantastic news about DoF! Congratulations to you all.
Not so good about MiL. So difficult to help and be sympathetic for any length of time when it doesn’t feel appreciated.