The peanut butter in the sandwich

My mother is a wonder. Not only is she a reliable, dependable and devoted mother, ready to spring to action the instant my sister or I ask for help, she is also a dedicated daughter. She is the proverbial peanut butter in the sandwich, holding the team together with her strength and love. 

My mother’s mother passed away at the age of 102, a few years back. The last few years of Grandma Vicky’s life, Mom spent nearly day at her side, taking care of her basic needs, ensuring she had everything she would require to be comfortable and happy in her cozy room, even playing (and purposely losing) cards for hours. Mom generously gave of her time, energy and resources until Grandma decided to bid the world adieu.

Then it was my other Grandma’s turn to need some support. A few scares with high blood pressure and a tumble or two made Mom realize that Grandma needed someone to check in on her each day. My mother spends a large amount of her time there, now, making sure pills are taken and Grandma is feeling ok. We just celebrated her 100^th birthday in February.

I have no doubt my mother will live to be 100. She is coming to the end of her 70’s looking and acting decades younger. What keeps her young? It could be the two litres of water she tries to drink every day, her daily walks, her weekly exercise class, or maybe it’s her evening glass of white wine for medicinal purposes. But honestly, I think it’s her optimistic spirit, her generous heart, her love of laughter and her tendency to dance around the room when she hears a favourite tune that keeps her healthy and happy. I hope I have inherited some of her joie de vivre too. She never complains about the number of miles or hours she puts in to looking after the rest of us. Because her heart is involved. She wouldn’t have it any other way. And I know exactly what that feels like.

I know what it’s like to get a call in the pre-dawn hours about a sick grandchild who needs daycare, or someone else who needs to borrow a vehicle or a few bucks until payday. I am a busy mom and grandma, and consider it a true privilege that my children know they can turn to me for help.

And someday, when it’s my turn, I will be ready to look after my mom too, the way she looked after me, my children, and even my grandchildren.  I will take my place in the middle of the sandwich.

 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers out there.

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