Introduction

I am sure that everyone has felt that feeling of being squeezed from all directions - the feeling that your life is stuck in a galactic-type of motion around a central figure... you. This isn't the narcissistic idea of the world revolving around you, more of the feeling that if you stop keeping up with all of the responsibilities you have for everyone around you, everything will fall apart. Not the most fun way to live. And yet, it is also the feeling of responsiblity that keeps you moving even when it is difficult.

This is especially true for the "Sandwich Generation," those of us who are caring for elderly parents and children. This is where I find myself -stuck solidly in the middle. At the age of 50+, I have two octogenarian parents who are still fairly independent and a 19 year old daughter who is not. I'm single, and I work full time. Life is very busy with the day-to-day necessities. My life gets even more interesting when you throw in the various illnesses, conditions, and phobias that my various family members contend with. I have two brothers, but they live on the west coast, well out of the way of most of the action. Both are married with good incomes and few money worries.

I am not saying that I wish I was still married. For many reasons I am better off alone. However, it would help immensely to have someone else around to help with the many problems that sometimes occur simultaneously.

My daughter doesn't drive, so I am constantly taking her places or trying to arrange rides for her. She has a variety of problems that make it difficult for her to function without supervision. She is extremely bright; she's received scholarships from her SAT scores. She is extremely lazy; she spends most of her time playing games on her computer. She is extremely fearful of a variety of things. She has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). That is probably her most important diagnostic label right now. She has had problems all her life with a variety of conditions, including asthma, central precocious puberty, growth disorders, and depression. As mad as I get at her for being a slug, I also try to remember how far she has come. She was hospitalized for her OCD when it became so severe she refused to eat. She was afraid that all food was contaminated or poisoned. Scary times.

Mom and Dad are in reasonably good health, but Mom has had two heart "events" that landed her in the hospital. Dad has a chronic heart condition, but with medication has done just fine. Dad and Mom both have their own versions of OCD. Mom is a chronic worrier. She can't enjoy a TV show without suddenly turning to me and telling me she's worried about getting their taxes done (It's January, Mom, taxes aren't due until April 15th.) She will find reasons to worry about anything if you don't distract her. Dad on the other hand, tends not to worry about details such as bills or taxes. He is primarily a hoarder. Suffice it to say they have a storage building the size of a barn in their back yard that you can barely enter. Almost none of the stuff in the "barn" belongs to my mom.

I know that I am not alone with this type of situation. There are many other people in sandwich situations, probably even more taxing than mine. There are many stories I can tell about the rather humorous and not so humorous trials of being the peanutbutter holding the slices together. Please let me know of your own humorous or angst-ridden situations. I find that laughing at some of the situations keeps me from going crazy. How about you?

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