We’ve now spent a good amount of time reviewing the six LOVING attitudes in detail.
Most recently, we learned that Neutrality combined with Grace will take you far in keeping a level head plus open heart in dealing with your Un-Cope-able Parents. The former entails having zero opinions regarding your elders’ decisions and actions. The latter implies grace under pressure.
Never more true than in the case of this story from my loaded “library”!
The “Missing Glasses Episode” – Part 1
There’s my father and me, in the middle of what has drifted into multiple daily calls when he worryingly declares, “My eyeglasses have gone missing. Someone must have stolen them or possibly we have mice…”
Weeks before, he’d carefully assembled all his eye gear in one location so as to be organized for an upcoming appointment. As my father progressively had little to occupy his time (by choice a recluse) it took him days to marshal the array of eyewear that constituted his collection. An optometrist interested in the historical aspects of glasses would have been fascinated!
To this day, it baffles me as to why he kept sports glasses at age 88 – unless he secretly planned to become the oldest National Hockey League player ever! I guffaw!
Listen first, ask questions later.
Given this incident occurred in the late spring of 2012 (and my Dad passed away in August), you might accurately surmise I was starting to reach my wit’s end with escalating “emergencies” in his household.
At first, his call was “just one more thing” to deal with on top of a mounting pile of problems, as I saw it. At that point, I was also making no strides in what I sought to change about his living circumstances. Annoying!
You can see how I learned to have zero opinions and focus back to the matter at hand.
With a hugely-disbelieving imaginary bubble above my head, I thought on my feet. I asked myself, “How do I respond to such kookiness and unwind this latest sudden crisis?”
Stay tuned…
Curious about where this tale wended its way? Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until next time!
If you were to take a guess, though, which LOVING attitudes do you think I used to prevail?
Yes, I’m giving you homework!
Carol-Ann Hamilton
Latest posts by Carol-Ann Hamilton (see all)
- Once Housed, We’re Good - January 21, 2021
- “Do Not Pry Into My Business!” - August 9, 2020
- “I Can Hack It When the Time Comes” - August 1, 2020
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