Regular readers of the Saturday GNR might remember that my MIL passed away this past February after a very long battle with Alzheimer's. My husband and I took care of her and my FIL and now just take care of him. He had a major heart attack 5 days after she died and so we went from the frying pan into… another frying pan with elder care. It is an honor to be able to care for someone in the twilight of their life but it is also exhausting and time consuming and difficult and sad.
Just over a month ago, my mom started feeling some pain. She lives an hour away, so I’ve been spending my time driving there to take her for tests etc.… We got the tough news that it is cancer two weeks ago, Last week, we met with the oncologist. Next week, she starts chemo. It is an aggressive cancer, but one that responds well to treatment, so we are hopeful.
She has a couple of more scans to do before the chemo, so I am not able to put together a GNR with this week’s news. I’m off to her house this afternoon. My apologies.
However, I would love to share some poetry with you all on this Saturday.
Perhaps people can put their own good news in the comments.
Even though balancing caring for our parents and our teenage kids (and our jobs and lives and activism) is a challenge, I feel so grateful for this life and all I get to experience. That gratitude includes all of you, who kindly gather here with me, week after week, and remind me that there are wonderful people all over who care about our country, our fellow people, and living lives that give to the world. Thank you. I can’t even begin to express how much you bolster me.
Poetry
By Marty McConnell -
Frida Kahlo to Marty McConnell.
Joni Mitchell
I am so lucky and proud to be in this with all of you ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿💚💛💙❤️✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿