Yeah, me too. It gives me the weekend to chill, and then a day during the week to run errands when it's not so crazy busy.

Gronk.

My maternal grandmother (the one who taught me how to knit) has taken a major turn for the worse. She's been ill for years, with several bouts of almost dying followed by recovery once the whole fractious clan has been gathered. This time, though, it seems like the real deal, with an infection that's not responding to antibiotics.

I'm not sure how I'm feeling about this. My mom is shaken by seeing the woman who was "so strong she could do anything" being so frail and helpless, but at the same time, she's ready for this to be over. As for me, I was close to my grandmother maybe fifteen years ago, but she's changed so much since then (and not for the better) that it feels like the woman I knew died years ago.

Then there are all the other issues that are going to follow, such as what's going to happen to my mentally handicapped aunt and uncle (still living at home) and my wheelchair bound grandfather. Chances are, whatever it is, my mom's going to have to deal with it, since she's the one everyone else in the family goes running to whenever there's something unpleasant to deal with.

So sorry, Anne. Wishing you and your mom strength.

Anne, I'm so sorry.

Oh, Anne, I'm so sorry. If it is your grandmother's time, I hope she passes quickly and gently. I don't envy your mother. The illness and potential loss of a parent is hard enough, without having all the practical worries she has. Much strength to her, and to you.

cereal...

Anne, your mom might find some practical help for her dad and siblings (and relief for herself) through the local visiting nurse association, and whatever county or state programs are available for disabled and elderly. If she doesn't know where to start, she can ask to speak to a social worker at the hospital where your grandmother is.

Oh, Anne, I'm so sorry. Peace~ma and prayers to you all.

Anne, your mom might find some practical help for her dad and siblings (and relief for herself) through the local visiting nurse association,

Oh, she's been doing that, along with trying to get legal documents drawn up, etc., but once she returns back to St. Louis (Nana, etc. are in MA), everything starts falling through the cracks again. Papers get lost, appointments are missed, etc. and so forth. If it weren't for the fact that people would suffer because of it, Mom would tell them to take their passive agressive BS for a long walk on a short pier.

{{{Anne}}} It sucks being the one in the family that everyone else leans on, especially when it's a tough emotional time anyway. Lots of strength to you and your mom, and to the rest of your family.

chocolate chip cookie dough pop-tarts:

everything starts falling through the cracks again. Papers get lost, appointments are missed, etc. and so forth

Ugh. This sounds just like what my husband went through with his grandfather's hospitaliztion and death last year. Everyone else in the family got intentionally helpless so that he would have to deal with everything.