Some Things Never Change.

This post is from 7-13-23, and it was inspired by a writing prompt. I do not normally participate in writing prompts, but this one got my attention for some reason. I had been my parents’ caregiver up until this point, and my dad had passed away in November 2022, so it was now just my mom and me. It is interesting because this post came up in my memories today, and it made me laugh because I still wake up at the same time, even after my mom passed away in September 2023. I still find myself waking up at this time, even before my alarm goes off, whether I am working or not. It is funny how some things never change.

When I wake up varies but it can be between 5:00am-6:00am. Waking up at this time is key to starting out the day in the right way. I am my mom’s caregiver so I need to get myself together first in the morning the best way I can so I can be ready to tend to her once she wakes up. I have her toiletries and everything we need to get her washed up in the morning and dressed. The kitchen table is prepared for breakfast by the time she is up and once I know what she wants to eat, I can make it quickly.

When I go to bed can also vary but usually after getting mom to bed between 9pm and 9:30pm then I can start to get myself ready for bed. This is my time to wind down and reflect on the day, jot down any notes or reminders for myself and things concerning my mom’s care. I can fall asleep right away for the most part and if not, then I will have an audiobook or a nature documentary on and those will usually help me fall asleep. I have a baby monitor in my mom’s room so I do find myself checking in on her in the middle of the night.

This is a schedule that I do my best to keep for my own sanity, but it doesn’t always work out that way. I have learned to be flexible and adapt to whatever may come because, with my mom, there are constant plot twists that can cause the schedule to go out the window.