Gary Barg, Editor-in-Chief
Regular readers of this column know that we are quite proud of our mom, for many things she has done. For it was by her dedication to our dad and grandparents that allowed me to see what challenges caregivers face daily. It was into her back bedroom that I trudged with the first pieces of computer equipment we used to start the magazine way back in 1994. It was her honesty and commitment which allowed her to write an ongoing column called “Phoenix Rising” about her life after caregiving.
I would now like to add some things she has not done to the “proud of mom” list.
She has not left her apartment, self -isolating for nearly two months, without (many) complaints. A hard thing for a loving great-grandmother to do as she cannot hold, hug and even squeeze her beloved great-grand kids. It is also a hard thing for a dedicated caregiver advocate not to spend the day on the phone at the office with family caregivers. But she has been a trooper in her self-contained “Mom Bio-dome.” Greeting family members from the doorway as we stand down the hall throwing kisses.
One more thing I am proud of her for not doing is answering questions of the myriad of scamsters who call her daily. One fraudster recently said she was calling from mom’s insurance company (not, of course, being able to name the company in question) and started asking personal questions. Click goes the phone. Mom regularly provides me with a basket of the junk mail she receives to review instead of responding to any of them and she is not shy about going to the great Google machine in the sky, if she is unsure of a phone number in an official looking message.
She said (a line which I will gratefully steal): “Nobody is calling to give me a million dollars.” Another great line she told me that she used when on the phone with someone, “Sounds great, give me your phone number and I’ll have my son, the lawyer, call you back.” A click from the other end of the phone line.
I can’t say that mom is not busy. She is cleaning, cooking and even writing. And like in my house, she is constantly doing laundry.
She is also not alone, as she has her friend and constant companion Tootsie, A friendly large black cat who is always by her side or on her lap.
I think all this activity is a good thing to maintain mental acuity. She told me that she and Tootsie had a poker marathon last week and Mom won. Which I obviously do not believe. I’ve played that cat and he’s really a shark!
Stay safe, well, and fearless.
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