Gumby….taking care of our parents
Seven Pax, took the Daily Red Pill (DRP) this morning and got stretchier.
The Pax: Mandela, Chitwood, Meat sweats, Aruba, Hammerhead and Bluegrass (Q: Squirrel)
The Scene: Cool and damp. Still, it’s a gift to wake up and be out in the Gloom!
The Thang: A good bit of core and Gumby stretching.
MOBILITY ROUTINE
Cobra to active back bend hold –thumbs up, pinch shoulder blades & pause. Two breaths here. Repeato x5.
Low Lunge – Right foot forward, left back. Left knee to ground. Shoulders stacked above hips & left hip pushing forward. Arms to goalposts or press on thigh. Move to runners lunge – Straighten front leg, w/ proud chest hinge forward to feel the hamstring stretch), 5 breaths. <Flapjack>
Hip rotations – On your butt, right knee forward @ 90, left knee back @ 90. Bend forward with a proud chest. Should feel in right hip. 5 breaths. <Flapjack>
Good morning Squat – Hinge @ hips then low squat, focusing on a flat back. Stand up – repeat x10.
TWIST
Supine Spinal Twist – On your 6, left leg flat with left foot flexed. Inhale. On exhale, cross right leg over, turn head to look at the right hand. <<Flapjack>>
Standing Spinal Twist – Hinge at waist, don’t round over. Hands out to sides, rotate to the left…left hand high, rotate to the right…right had high. Repeato
LATS
Childs Pose Cross body – Walk hands to the left, Four breaths here. << Flapjack
Standing Side Bend – Start in mountain. Right hand overhead, left hand traces the line on your pants. Reach high, bend to left – push hips to right. Flapjack
CALVES – Down dog
STRENGTH / CORE –12 minutes of abs
Mosey over to meet up with the Stronghold crew…which had a really good turnout.
Announcements & Prayer requests:
- First Friday Beer pouring – sign up or tell FroYo. Many hands make light work…and good fellowship
- Bluegrass heads to Carnegie Hall today
- Prayers for all those who lost family, friends neighbors in the latest shooting down in Texas. We ask God for his guidance and healing!
Moleskine: Taking care of the parents
Reflecting on an event from last December when your Humble Correspondent’s (YHC) mom was in the hospital. Lots of the Pax knew of this and provided much needed prayers, which were so appreciated. She has a ballooning at a weak spot in her ascending aorta. Another way of thinking about it is if the artery was a garden hose we’d replace it!
(actual picture of Mom’s heart)
This is a widow maker kinda thing…if it goes, well….you may live to feel yourself hitting the ground. This artery thing made a routine gall bladder removal procedure fairly tricky.
She went to St. Louis and the good thing is, the surgery was a success!
My M and I were scheduled to go to our niece’s wedding. With Mom coming out of surgery we made the choice that she continue on to the wedding and I help Mom & Dad at home. That’s when my work started. Doing the standard chores around the home, cooking three meals a day, shopping, etc. Then there was being the negoiatior…
Ok, it wasn’t that bad. But when things get tense AND you’ve got 60+ years of marriage there can be some lingering conflict. Asking one to be quiet when the other was resting or being the mediator when they bickered about…inconsequential stuff really.
It’s so hard to sit by and watch when our parents aren’t at their best. We feel the full weight of responsibility for what happens to them but, at the same time, we have no control over their actions or choices.
But we try.
For those of you who may find yourself in this, or similar, situations in the future I’d really like to give you concrete solutions to these problems, there’s really only one solution to this dilemma. You’ve got to let go of the outcome.
So much of my misery was caused by our attachment to outcomes. And, of course, the outcome we most especially want is for our parents to be safe, happy and spared the indignities of growing old or being sick. Our parents don’t always make decisions that produce that outcome. The consequences of our parents’ decisions can create problems and suffering for them and more work and challenges for those who care for them.
I’d like to say I was full of grace, had contemplative prayer and let go of the outcome…but I wasn’t any of that.
I’m working on living 3rd. WORKING ON…. Don’t hate me for not being full of grace when my parents weren’t at their best. I know I am a better person when I live for others and it’s not about me, and sometimes I forget
At the end of the day, I did the best I could. Just because the outcome wasn’t what I wanted doesn’t mean I didn’t help. When/if you have navigate this incredibly challenging situation that’s out of your control. Just try and focus on letting go and living 3rd.
Aye!