Stress and Thank Yous

Who props you up?  When you're stressed, what's your pressure relief valve?? 

I thought once I retired, the stress and pressure would be relieved.  But now I'm finding that I've traded for a bigger stress.  I call her Mom.  

I run both my health care and hers, along with taxes, bills, money decisions (some, anyways).  While ultimately things are her decisions, and I let her make them, she doesn't always remember the decisions she makes.

Weds she had me jumping through hoops, calling docs and trying to get her some pain relief, which involves referrals and the doctor offices aren't in the kind of hurry she is in.  Because I didn't get a call back, I was up early and at her house by 9 am so we could make some phone calls and decisions.  

What do I find when I get there?  She's eating breakfast in her jammies and says "I don't want to see a pain management doctor, I feel better today."  

She is a Class A+ worrier, but doesn't admit that she's worrying about anything.  But her words and actions  stress me out, trying to get her the help she wants.  And I know that as her pain increases, she worries, and her body reacts and it causes more pain.

For me, stress from work was usually handled with comfort foods.  I'm trying to avoid that these days and treat my body better.  I need to find a different stress reliever.  Throwing things hasn't worked out so well for the things around me.  

Maybe it's time I keep some gym clothes in the car, and hit the gym after dealing with her each day.

So if you have a person who helps you deal with your stress, make sure you thank them, let them know you appreciate them!  A kind word goes a long way!!

❤️