10 Comments
User's avatar
Esther's avatar

I also loved the Shel Silverstein books! Also never realized how dark they were, so guess I'll have to go back and reread them haha.

Expand full comment
Kim Druker Stockwell's avatar

Hi, Ororo:) Thank you CK Steefel @goodhumor for forwarding your blog to me. In your list the self sacrifice of caring for parents with dementia is heartbreaking. As you know I am collecting thoughts from the "kids" who are taking care of ailing/elderly parents. Your words lay bare the struggle to do good but at a steep price. You and your sister really don't have a choice to care for your parents, but no one is going to recognize the sacrifice. It seems unfair and you are not alone. Thinking of you ...Kim

Expand full comment
Ororo Munroe's avatar

Thank you so much for this.

Expand full comment
Kim Druker Stockwell's avatar

Was on the phone with a friend today who is hosting thirty in-law relatives at her home where her parents are also living, one with serious dementia and her mother in law has stage four pancreatic cancer that has spread. She has two boys in college. It's a lot on anyone's plate. She has a sister and they share the responsibility for their parents but that has it's moments of discomfort, too, Do you have siblings, Ororo?

Expand full comment
Ororo Munroe's avatar

Yes. My older sister and I share the co-caregiver duties with my Dad. She has her own place, too, and we trade out every Sunday. This week is my week with them.

Expand full comment
Kim Druker Stockwell's avatar

You're a very good daughter...

Expand full comment
Ororo Munroe's avatar

Thanks. I appreciate that because some days... <SMH>

Expand full comment
Kim Druker Stockwell's avatar

I know through the woman I mentioned above how stressful caring for parents with dementia is and howe hard it is on her relationship with her sister. They make it work because they have to...do something super nice for yourself today!

Expand full comment
Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

You got your own place. Yay. Now if you can just live there full time. Sigh. I can’t imagine the stress. I’m glad you have respite in the form of your own walls and roof. 🙏🙏

Expand full comment
Ororo Munroe's avatar

Gawd, I know! I don't think I'll be able to enjoy it until she passes. Sad to say. :/ Don't know when that'll happen but I feel it's coming. But yes, EXTREMELY glad and grateful for the respite.

Expand full comment