The Real World

A Saturday of duty: Mom's tax information is ready to take to the accountant. I have all her data except statements on two of her insurance/annuities - so I sent a note to the investment guy handling her accounts to see if he has them.

What was interesting is I have recently noticed my mom-duties have become pretty automated in my life - laundry, visits, banking, filing medical, insurance, investment, and other paperwork (she gets as much mail as I do), etc. The raging resentment I had when I first took on this job 3 years ago is gone. I've even found myself thinking, "She deserves this peaceful time, free of worry and free of the burdens of past grudges and slights."

Even more interesting, then, to notice that all it takes is a year-end review of the paper trip, doing file cleanup and summarizing for the tax accountant, to bring that resentment back. Truly, I noticed I was angry about having to do this job... again. And I noticed I wonder how long she can keep going, i.e., keep me working for her. And I considered maybe this is payback for all the rotten things I did that made her worry about me, or embarrassed her, or otherwise gave her more gray hair than she would have had if I'd been more thoughtful and kind than I was. If it is payback, I honestly hope we're almost even, because I don't want this job for the rest of my life.

I'm glad mom's got a good place to be, with people who think up clever things to keep her pleasantly occupied. Out here in the real world of file boxes and tax forms, the job is to keep things humming so the Deeply Retired can take naps and make scrapbooks and holiday decorations. She'll be cutting out shamrocks soon enough.