Suzy Says

“I think all familes are creepy in a way.”
– Diane Arbus

Well, things are back to what passes for normal for us. My godmother picked up Mom and her many accessories (she has more than Barbie herself, though much less glamorous – for example, an oxygen tank instead of a Malibu beach house) this morning and is taking her back to my sister Megan’s little house in the little woods.

I have always been one of Megan’s biggest fans. She’s one of the few people on earth who have experienced what limited nurturing skills I possess. I helped to take care of her from the time she was newborn baby, and later she lived with me for the last two years she was in high school. So she is the closest thing I will ever have to having a child of my own, and I love her like no-one else on earth.

But after a mere 10 days of Mom, I have discovered that my atheist little sister is in fact a candidate for sainthood. Let’s compare:

Suzy: 10 days of Mom.
Megan: 4 months of Mom, with no end in sight.

Suzy: Leaves home at 7:30 am; gets home between 5:30 and 5:45 pm. Total MomHours per day: About 4.
Megan: Took care of Mom 24/7 for 3 months. Recently started working again, two to three 12 hour shifts per week (including nights). Total MomHours per day: Every waking moment.

Suzy: 1,200 sq foot apartment for 3 people and 5 cats (one of which is Mom’s. Way too many cats). Mom sleeping in living room on fold out couch. Bonus: bedroom to hide in with door!
Megan: 500 sq foot house for 3 people, 4 cats, and 3 dogs (all dogs were Mom’s). Mom sleeping in living room on fold out couch. Sleeping loft for Megan and Rob without benefit of door. You get the picture. Bonus: they can hang out in the garden. But only until it starts raining for the winter (probably next month).

Suzy: Not a nurturing bone in her body. Zero patience. Not particularly nice. No happy fuzzy Mommy feelings. But did change morphine patches every 48 hours, administer pills, and dealt with assorted ickinesses. The Complaints Department heard about it, but Mom didn’t. Bonus: Did not outwardly lose temper. No injuries or deaths.
Megan: Professionally nurturing. Strongest person I know. A rock. She used to be a Montessori teacher, and now she’s an Emergency Medical Technician. Also unpaid nurse. Knows what love is.

I think we can see who comes out ahead here (or behind, depending on how you look at it).

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