How to take One's Elderly Parent's To The Beach: A Sandy Memoir...................

How to take your Elderly Parents to the Beach.........a sandy memoir

Step One

Loll around in the shade of their backyard at home, wondering if really should leave the shade and travel in the hot car to the beach.

Step Two
Cajole Dad to leave, as he sits inside in the living room.

Step Three
Settle family argument that breaks out between Mom and Dad.

Step Four
Change into swimsuit discreely in walk in closet downstairs.

Step Five
Pile swim bags in car with towel, sunscreen, little hat to wear in the water, beach sandals.

Step Six
Worry about where parents will sit at the beach. Will they find shade?

Step Seven
Assist parents getting into the car.

Step Eight
Drive down shady streets, thinking of the best beach to go to and will my parents find easy access getting out of the car and to the beach.

Step Nine
Spot two perfectly good plastic chairs by someone's dumpster. Stop car, throw chairs in back of car. Proceed to beach.

Step Ten
Find Good parking spot. Assist parents getting out of the car.

Step Eleven Run ahead and place plastic chairs in the shade.

Step Twelve
Help parents into chairs, adjust their sitting positions as needed so that they are completely in the shade.

Step Thirteen
Take off glasses, watch, earrings and outer clothes. Put on little pink swimming hat. Get ready to go into the water.

Step Fourteen
Reassure mother that you won't be long.

Step Fifteen
Realize that mother complains and is never satisfied.

Step Sixteen
Realize that mother wants more than you can ever give.

Step Seventeen
Realize and feel all this and go get into the water anyway.

Step Eighteen
Slowly get into the water as usual. Swim back and forth and feel good.
Feel better and better.

Step Nineteen
Flip your mermaid's tail and plunge underwater into the deeper places where
memory resides. Go down deep and emerge, recalling how pleasant it was long ago when you spent your childhood summer afternoons at the beach with your siblings and your mother.

Step Twenty
Recall as you swim along like a lyrical mermaid now, how timeless and pleasant those afternoons were and how they are now as well.

Step Twenty one
Recall how there is a painting somewhere in your basement that you painted of your mother at the beach... remember to take a digial photo of it sometime so you can add it to your blog.

Step Twenty two
Enjoy the waves, the velvety water, the way the lake feels as you swim along.. Feel relaxed and happy. Without cares.

Step Twenty three
Look up to see your little 89 year old mother waving her hands to you from the beach. Time to go in.. leave the water slowly, releasing your memories with a swish of your mermaid's tail.

Step Twenty four
Find sandals on the beach. Walk on the sand up to your parents. Grab towel and sit in the sun drying off.

Step Twenty five
Capture this moment. Grab your paper, paint and pen. Draw it, paint it, feel it.
Here it is this moment with your parents at the beach.

Step Twenty six
Repeat steps eleven through seven in reverse order.

Step Twenty seven
Cast one last look at the beach...longingly, knowingly...soothingly...knowing you will be back as soon as you can...G-d willing.