Yep, I stole the title from Kelly Corrigan. But it exactly describes the month of April. It's been a journey into The Middle Place as my dad continues to decline in health and my kids continue to need me just as much as always. I find myself smack dab in the middle between taking care of my dad and taking care of my kids.And, oh yeah, a full time career and a husband.
The other day I had Tanner and Faith in the car on the way to the doctor (one turned out to have pneumonia, the other strep throat) and was making phone calls on the way ordering a hospital bed for my dad's new room at Belmont Village (where he will be moving this week for their Memory Care). I've made 5 trips to CA in 8 weeks and have learned more about Alzheimers, the difference between Memory Care and Assited Living, Physical Therapy, Occupational therapy, brain diseases like NPH, than I ever cared to imagine. When I'm not in CA with my dad I am thinking about him, or talking to his doctor, or researching possible drug interactions that could be causing his symptoms.
I would say it's been a roller coaster of a month, but this roller coaster really seems to just go downhill and I'd say that I want off but I know that means that I wouldn't have my dad anymore so I am happy to continue this ride because I'm just not ready yet.
On the home front, despite several weeks of sick kids, all is well. I find the nightly evening baseball games a perfect antidote to a rough day and sitting in the sunshine watching the boys play continues to be my favorite way to spend the evenings. As crazy as baseball makes our daily life, I wouldn't trade it.
It's hard to believe, and more than a little scary, that school is out in 5 weeks. Jake will be moving on to Hillside Jr. High, thus ending our three years of luxury in which all attended the same school. Still, he is excited for the change and I am excited for him.
The summer lays out in front of us- we have a few trips planned (Eric's wedding in July, a family reunion trip to Redfish Lake in August) but mostly we will be at home enjoying the long days of no homework and a calmer schedule. Of course, with Dad in Sunnyvale there will be many more trips to CA in my future too.
