Then there’s my grandparents
Also on the list of things I did today was stop in to see my grandparents. When my car was still running, I did this a few times a week because they are elderly, they need help, and I generally enjoy their company. That said, I should enjoy it lots while it’s still hear to enjoy right?
So, I go over today and there is something cooking in the oven. It smells bbqish. My grandpa doesn’t hear me come in as I go in the living room and he is intently counting money in his wallet and trying to figure out how much he has vs. how much the bank says he has. Grandma is asleep in her chair. It’s 4:45 pm and they usually eat dinner no later than 4:30.
I announce myself and they are both happy to see me. Grandma looks slightly confused as she tells me “your mother said I have to cook tonight. I guess I put something in the oven before my nap. I’m afraid to look at it.” I ask what time she put the food in. She doesn’t remeber.
Luckily the food was ok. The sausages and bbq beef leftovers were warm and not burned. I look over and she is microwaving mashed potatoes and corn in two plastic dishes. (I now want to shoot my mother for not putting food to be cooked in the microwave in microwave safe containers for them as in they are in their late 80’s and early 90’s – really mom. No. Really.) My poor grandma is trying to reheat this food by setting the microwave to defrost for 11 minutes. I fixed that problem too.
*sighs* It’s rough watching them get older. They were more my parents than my parents were.
I’m just glad I happened to pop in on a day that I could be really helpful to them. And nothing caught fire. I think I need to have a talk with my mother about how she preps their food.
I know exactly what you mean. My grandparents DID in fact raise me as their own and I feel as though they are more parents than anything else. They are now in their mid/late 80’s and I’m thankful they’re still around and in relatively good health. Yeah, thier medicine cabinets look like they’re squirelling-away skittles in there, but I look around and see other people who appear to be the same age and/or younger who don’t seem to be as “aware” of things around them and generally a whole lot worse off.
My mom was the oldest of 8 kids. My youngest aunts and uncles are closer to me in age than my mom is to them.
Often my grandmother would refer to “your sister lisa” (who is my aunt). I would say “grandma, I know you birthed lots of babies, but I wasn’t one of them.”
Her reply? “Well, you should have been.”
Oh, this is hard. All of my Grandparents passed when I was young, but my Mom had some mental diminishment due to her diabetes & COPD, so she was pretty much like this by her late 50’s. It is hard to watch those you love become…less than they were. I was my Moms primary caretaker for years, so I got your back should you need a sounding board~
My grandparents are the same way. My grandmother threw out three vacuum cleaners before someone took the time to explain to her that she can empty the bagless canister when it gets full.
i don’t live close to them, so it’s hard to entrust my cousins to take that responsibility.
last time i went home she told me about these “floating spells” she’s been having. i’m sure it’s just nausea, but it’s creepy to hear her talk about.
one thought, if she’s used to microwaving things for 11 minutes, maybe you should leave it on defrost.
Awesome to see people hanging with their grandparents. I only have my grandfather on my mother’s side left. Last month my family was in town for my sister’s wedding and I got to take them around the zoo the next day. My grandfather always has me give him a tour when he comes and this time was no different. He has a bone spur on the bottom of his foot and still insisted on going…and walking the whole thing. Every time we go he always talks to my mother in detail about it afterwards. It’s a big kick for him.
Bea, I think it is wonderful that you can help out, and just hang out with your grandparents as much as you do. I would truly speak to your mom about the food prep tho! Great Muppety Odin that is a disaster waiting to happen!