Even after the meeting, thoughts of my parents stay with me.
We talked about who would care for my parents and how much, but even after I got back, I kept dividing up the tasks in my head.
Scenes
- The meeting is over, but caring for my parents remains. — Even after the meeting, I keep thinking about who will care for my parents and how much.
- The tasks were listed, but no one was assigned to them. — The meeting ends without deciding who will accompany my parents to the hospital or handle calls, even though those tasks are written in the notes.
- Our schedules differ, but we’re splitting things equally. — Each sibling helping our parents has different work hours and lives at a different distance, but in the meeting we try to split the tasks evenly.
- I still haven’t said what I can take on. — I know everyone’s schedule is different, but I couldn’t bring up what I could manage before the meeting ended.
- Write down just one thing you can do today. — Tonight, write down one way you can help care for your parents, along with when you’re available.
- You can fill in the blanks together. — At the next meeting, lay out when everyone is available, then try sharing the care again within those times.
Stories by Onyu
- Onyu
- Even on my day off, I answered someone else first.
- After the meeting, I come back and start figuring out my living expenses.
- Even after a meeting, I come home and have to explain why I need to rest.
- Just before clocking out, the clock reminds me of a request
- Gray hair reflected in the window on a rainy day
- Right before clocking out, I pause before canceling our plans
- Right before quitting time, just thinking about learning makes me check the clock.
- Right before clocking out, I can’t think of what to say to a friend.