A couple of decades ago, when I was a young newspaper reporter in Bentonville, Ark., the features editor at the next desk wrote an article about the Sandwich Generation.
This label, I learned, refers to middle-aged people who are juggling the responsibilities of caring for their growing children while also supporting their aging parents. In my early 20s and newly married, I could hardly comprehend the notion that I might be a part of this demographic some day.
But I never forgot the term.
For some reason, it made me think of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich—bread and filling stuck firmly together, a nice tidy package. These days, though, as I find myself firmly squished in the middle, it feels more like tomato, avocado and lettuce on 21-grain bread.
I love this tasty combination, especially when the tomatoes are liberally sprinkled with garlic salt. But it doesn’t always hold together well. When I take a bite, pieces of tomato and avocado squirt out the sides. The seeds in the bread get stuck in my teeth. It’s a bit of a slippery mess.
For me, right now, this epitomizes what it’s like to be part of the Sandwich Generation. Depending on what’s going on, my mental and emotional state often runs the gamut from joy to frustration, peace to exhaustion, gratitude to sadness. (I’ve even made the dizzying discovery that it’s possible to experience all of these at the same time.)
I recently wrote about this for one of my new favorite blogs, The Perennial Gen: Growing Deeper Roots in the Dirt and Light of Midlife. To read the rest of my post, please click here.
♥ Lois
I’m grateful for grace, for loved ones who remind me that the way things are now is not how they will always be. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith, Coffee for Your Heart, Faith on Fire, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends and Grace & Truth.
8 comments
Great post, adding to my sandwich my own chronic health issues & it gets very slippery indeed.
Trying to balance all responsibilities squeezed into a four tiered sandwich! My aging parents with chronic health issues, my daughters & grandchildren too.
Yes, we can experience many emotions on this one all at once!
Remember you’re most welcome to drop by for a cuppa anytime for a little break!
Jennifer
Phew … that IS a lot, Jennifer. You’re right about what happens when our own issues (health and otherwise) get thrown into the mix. Thanks so much for your kind words this week … and for the invitation to stop by for a cuppa. I will do that soon!
Lois, this is just beautiful. And I am grateful to have found this site and will be visiting there more often! Blessings!
Thanks so much, Joanne! The Perennial Gen is a great site, isn’t it? It definitely fills a niche that is very under-served, I think!
So grateful for the gathering place that the Perennial Gen has become for so many of us! Thanks for adding your lovely voice to the choir!
Aw … thanks, Michele. Yes, I’m grateful for the Perennial Gen too. Can’t wait to see what’s coming this month … 🙂
What an excellent description of being in the sandwich generation. All those emotions that you can’t get a handle on.
It’s exhausting, isn’t it? The burden definitely feels lighter when someone else understands, though. I’m so glad you understand, Debby!