I’m a baby boomer and definitely a member of the sandwich generation. The mother of three adult children, my husband John and I have been married for 40 years. Chicago born and raised, my various careers include high school English teacher, writer and copyeditor for two publishing companies, and registered nurse in women’s health. I am passionate about healthcare for women, children and the elderly. My 95-year-old mother suffers from dementia.
Concerned about any snag in the fabric of life that affects my children and grandchildren, I find myself racing along the boomer highway, trying to slow it down. If we talk and share we can turn this sandwich generation into an elegant brioche. Please join me. Please comment. I’m here to listen, learn from you and help you. I’ll post once or twice a week and offer to do research for your personal concerns.
Thanks for your blog, Beth. Good information and creative writing! I went to see “True Grit” too and saw the same trailers and had the exact same reaction. I’m puzzled why everyone was startled by the violence in Arizona when our whole society is becoming inured to violence in the media, and in addition, we don’t give mental illness enough attention.
Thanks for your reply, Joan. We certainly don’t give enough attention to mental illness and often people joke about it. Lack of information seems to plague that area of medicine.
Please notify me via email to new posts!!!!!
Thanks,
Bill PF
Great blog. I have loved reading several of your articles. You are offering some very sage advice, if we are not taking time to care for ourselves it only spells trouble ahead. We did sandwich family early, and there were few resources. But I remember a nun, at a lecture, telling my husband and I “You can not do 24-7 with your loved one. No one person should occupy all your time. Keep it in perspective. You have to be available for everyone who needs you, including yourself.” I learned that there was real wisdom in what she said. Keep up the good work.
Dear Mary–
I so appreciate your comment. In a world full of many talking voices, your positive input helps me continue to evaluate and find the best advice for this blog. Lately, I am finding my mother’s dementia changing–always a different path, and her voice and what she says is different. And in that voice is forgiveness and love, which we all seek.
I will write about it.
Thanks,
Beth Havey
Beth,
I just added a post to my blog, inspired by a quote I saw on your blog.
I have mentioned and linked your blog in the article.
http://bluestarmoon.wordpress.com/
Blessings.
Mary
Mary I went to your blog and read about you. What wonderful work you do. Again, it really is rewarding to be able to reach out to people in this massive community and make some connections. I will keep your blog in mind and thanks for the reference. One small thing, the last name is HAVEY no R. Always, Beth
Sorry for the typo, thanks for the alert and thanks for visiting. You are so right to say that the blogosphere has made things possible that are amazing. Blessings. Mar
Beth, wanted to be sure you got my reply about using my post. No problem, thanks for thinking of me. Mary
Thanks, Mary, I’ve been gone for a few days. Great to know I can use your post. Hope life is going well. Always, Beth