The missus and I have had our fill. We are more bitter, short, nasty,rude etc etc etc etc than we ever imagined ourselves capable of being. We are generally. “polyanna” people. Lately though, the day in and day out struggle of taking care of her mom (that lives with us), my mother (a drama queen), and our son ( a high acheiver type that is only gettting D’s in high school) is getting to be just too much. We need a break! When BAM! outta nowhere, the missus’s sister and brother-in-law from many miles away say that they will come into town and watch the mom etc… while we take a break. I am -not- an institutionalized religous person… but damned what a godsend. We were at the breaking point of taking care of the mom-in-law…we were about to get nasty. And then these folks hear our distress and take action. They give us a weekend off. A weekend (plus a day) were WE are not reponsible for anyone else. It’s a blesssing.
I dunno, I’m not usually a glurge-ey type. Normally that kind of dreck just nauseated me. But dammit, these people sensed our stress and responded. That’s gotta be worth something.
You got kin out there taking care of mom and dad for years? Give the kin a break. Take care of mom or dad for a weekend and send your brother or sister (or in-laws) on a much needed mini-vacation. Those with 'rents that are exhibiting signs of paranoia or other dementia need a freakin break.
I can SOOO relate to what you say. I’m about 4+ yrs into caring for my bedridden MIL.
I know all about the; “I don’t think I can take much more of this” times.
Our only holiday in a year is a week at a friends cottage, it involves moving MIL to a full care facility (no easy task, let me just say, on the best day), for a short stay and someone to watch the dog, (sadly, no longer an issue for us ).
Last summer I couldn’t get a room for her in any of the facillities, I was so frustrated. Our friends couldn’t believe it, they just kept saying, “But you need this so badly!” But there was no way around it, just when we all began to accept it wasn’t going to happen. Bingo. My Sister in law came for her every other Sunday visit, heard about our problem and stepped right up. She’d stay in the house, look after her Mom, do the meals, meds, changes AND look after the dog!
Godsend is really the word, I couldn’t get over it myself.
When we got back, I made a point of giving her a big hug and telling her she was the best sister in law on earth!
I know just how very, very grateful you feel.
Do yourself a favour and go and buy a lottery ticket.
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