Hourglass Metaphor Explaining Aging Beautifully

I love the hourglass metaphor and have often used it when I explain to others what my dissertation was about -- it's about finding meaning in a time of care in which your elders' days are depleting and your children's lives are "filling up" but I don't recall ever blogging about it until I saw this hourglass at Target by the brand Threshold. I had to buy it! This particular photo of it in my mantle just doesn't do it justice so I had my pre-teen daughter take more (but I have to add them in a later post, not tonight).

There is a term called "sandwich generation" care and this (would you believe) is the term used in research to explain just exactly this kind of care of 2 generations. Can you imagine being likened to the meat/cheese within 2 slices of bread which represent your kids and parents? Think about that -- bread and sandwiches as a metaphor! And should you have step-parents, then the term "club sandwich" (meaning more bread in the metaphor mix) is used. This is one of those time when the English language totally fails in description and just a bit more imagination in naming it would have been helpful.

Back to my hourglass -- Have you ever watched the sand fall in one? You can literally see how at the very same time that sand is being removed from the top, it is filling up the bottom. And there is no stopping it. Well, in my version of this Threshold hourglass you can actually tip it on its side and have it "hold" the sand in suspension...but not in reality.

I was thinking about a particular person I know with Alzheimers and how every day is like those sands of the hourglass with a little more memory gone - probably more than we know until bigger changes reveal what is being done at the cerebral level. And as all this is happening, life is just an eensy teensy bit shorter in terms of length of this elder's life. BUT when I think of my teen about to head to college in the fall, her life is not just beginning but seems like is open and full ahead of her. I wish I could stop time and savor it but just blogging about it gets me in that mental time suspension even for a moment.

I have a dear friend who is introducing me with baby steps to art journaling. Well I told her I want to do it, but she is helping me face my fear of paints and putting things on paper that I think are ugly at this phase but are still considered art. It's funny how in the midst of doing art and putting down what you think you feel that suspension of time. I have heard REAL artists talk about this and how they lose track of time with the clock and just flow with what they are doing as if there is no time. Maybe art is the answer for me to escape the sands in my own family hourglass. Not sure but it sounds worthwhile to pursue...but don't look for my art anytime soon here (that is, not until it's WORTH posting).

If my family sees a light on in my SheShack, I am there art-journaling...I posted a tour of the place on Tumblr at my handle PeeringOutward. Check it out: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/peeringoutward

Until the next post!

Therapeutic Animals (without the "Therapy Dog" Certification) for a family who is caregiving

Domesticated animals are such a comfort. I have 2 dogs who are both rescue dogs and they make me so happy when I see them. And studies show that having a pet at home is good for not only adults, but kids who benefit from reduced allergic reactions. AND to my surprise people with Alzheimer's even benefit (as well as their caregivers). This article gives all the specifics https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/health-benefits-of-pets#1 which I urge you to read.

Of course a puppy who is going through potty training, or an aggressive dog or cat who pose an inconvenience or safety threat do not fit this category of pets that bring comfort. But mine do and that's what I'm here to share today. Just some photos of my animals and a sharing of how much joy they bring me. My dog "Flash" (who is black with a white thunderbolt on his chest) is also featured in my kids book called, "My Grandpa Wants to Get a Porcupine" if you want to check it out on Lulu.com or Amazon or your favorite book retailer online or at a storefront.