THE SANDWICH GENERATION: WHERE IS MY WELCOME LETTER?

God's faithfulness endures through all generations.

Psalm 100: 5

I will never forget how I felt when I opened the mailbox and found my "WELCOME TO THE 50+ CLUB" letter.  You may know the one I mean...... it's that RUDE invitation to send in your membership to the A.A.R. P.  (Young 'uns, that means American Association of Retired Persons.) For me, the hardest part of receiving "the letter" was that it arrived six months before my 50th birthday.  Forty nine and counting! I did not need that "you are approaching senior citizen land" reminder. Completely uncalled for! The letter arrived seven years ago, and I have still not responded. It's just a matter of principle.

I don't know of a welcome letter that comes to announce the next phase of life, but Steve and I have definitely been inducted into the club.  Any day now, I expect to check the mail and retrieve our "WELCOME TO THE SANDWICH GENERATION" letter.  I am sure that my fellow "boomer" readers understand the concept.

ABOUT ME:  Sometimes I look into the mirror and I do not recognize the reflection staring back at me.  Not that it's a bad image, it's just a different one.  Something about the sagging skin, the wrinkles here and there, the silver strands in the hair.  I expect to see the thin face framed with long wavy hair, but I can't find that face anywhere. Especially the THIN part!

ABOUT OUR PARENTS:  Steve and I are blessed to enjoy the company of three living parents.  I was fortunate to be the child of an extremely young couple.  My Mom and Dad were just 20 and 18 when I was born.  What a joy my young parents have been to me.  My tour guides on this life journey, Mom and Dad have walked the road just before me.  I have followed in their footsteps and our relationship has been very close.  Lately, I have watched them face the obstacles of aging and I know that my turn is coming up.  I realize that I am right behind them in this life journey.

The past few weeks for Steve have been happy / sad.  His mother has reached the point that living independently is no longer an option.  For several years, we have known that the day would come when alternative living arrangements would have to be made.  We have come to the realization that the time for change is now.  We have found the senior facility that we believe is best for her.  We dreaded having this discussion with her, but Steve's mom seems to understand that the move is in her best interest.  In and out of reality, she knows that she is about to relinquish her independence.  She mourns for this loss.  But at the same time, she seems relieved that she will have others to care for her needs on a full time basis.  Steve has spent many hours helping her go through her belongings.  For him, it has been a very precious time.   She has reviewed her life through her photos, books, momentos.  Steve has guided her through the process. Next week, we make the big move.

ABOUT OUR CHILDREN:  For over three decades, Steve and I have treasured our two daughters. They have blessed us with five biological grandchildren and five grands of the heart.  Our hearts are filled with love and devotion to all of our kiddos.  Both of our daughters are hard working single moms.  They are bright, educated, and self motivated women.  But, they are simply not paid what they are worth.  And dead-beat dads, I won't even go there!  When our grands need something, Mamma Kathy and Pappa Steve will provide.  That's the way it is.  That's the way it will continue to be as long as we have the means.  Which brings me to the next part of the story...............

ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING:  When our grands need something, Mamma Kathy and Pappa Steve will provide.  In the case of our oldest grandson, it appears that completing high school through Texas Tech University Independent School District is our best option.  Our handsome six foot two young man has been the "son of our hearts" since he breathed his first breath.  (Guess who cut the umbilical cord........ ME!)  He has tried his best to conform to the expectations of public schools.  His ADHD and touch of dyslexia has made this a miserable task for him and a frustration for us.  So, in the fall, Mamma Kathy becomes a high school teacher.  We are going to get these last eleven credit hours together...... me and my boy!  English and History classes, we got that!  But, Algebra 2 and Physics, I will gladly outsource to a tutor.  I refuse to even open the books!  A grandmother's love can only go so far!

ABOUT "CLUB SANDWICH":  Steve and I are members of the club whether we like it or not!  We are blessed to be the generation in between.  With our parents in front of us, and our children behind us, we are surrounded by love and devotion to each.  All of the love that we pour out to our loved ones is returned to us by them. Our shoulders are strong because they are strengthened by Almighty God. We are ready for the task that faces us.  We covet your prayers for patience, for wisdom, for health, for discernment, for financial means, and for a few minutes each day to be a couple and enjoy each other's company.  We are "paying it forward" as they say.  We are grooming a quiver of younger ones to take care of us someday - when they become inducted to THE SANDWICH GENERATION.  "May all who come behind us find us faithful"  (Steve Green.)

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need,

his generosity exceeding even yours

in the glory that pours from Jesus.

Philippians 4: 19-20

Along unfamiliar paths I will guide you;

I will turn the darkness into light before you

and make the rough places smooth.

These are the things I will do -

I will not forsake you. 

Isaiah 42: 16