So this holiday is turn into a frog-in-blender kind of experience; in the first few days I’ve had to organize the sale of my mom’s condo, as an offer came in while I was out in the middle of the desert with a dying cell phone, my book contract then came in that I couldn’t accept as is, and which required I either find an agent quick or learn to negotiate a book contract ASAP as the offer is only valid for 3 more weeks, and we’ve also had to follow my wife’s parents around.
This isn’t what I really want to be blogging about, but it’s the biggest dynamic in my life right now, so I feel I have little choice; I would rather be blogging about next fall’s trip to Mexico in the Delica, or our trip to Arizona in a few short days, but again, the energy is elsewhere.
Not surprisingly, the biggest issue is still my mother. Every day is different, some better some much worse. It reminds me very much like caring for a foster kid (one with significant emotional issues, if that isn’t redundant). I expected caring for her to be challenging, mostly because of her negative affect. What has emerged much more strongly is her oppositional and confrontational behaviours.
A little peace has been restored, in the midst of a hurricane. So much has been going on lately that it’s tough to stay grounded, but at least one major conflict has largely been laid to rest. I write this with a little trepidation because anything can change at anytime, but for now I’ve found peace with the notion of caring for my mom. There hasn’t been a change in our circumstances, she’s still as negative and crusty as ever, but my outlook has changed.