Well, since I pretty much just see the people I live with right now, it would have to be one of them!
Lisey texted me from work a little down, so I sent her some cute pictures of the cat + a meme I’d saved to show her.
I watched Hamilton with Sonia (I’m not a huge TV watcher, but if my kids suggest we watch something, I’m happy to do it! It’s a shared experience.)
I empathized with Lisey about a seriously inappropriate string of texts a twice her age former co-worker sent to her.
(Like, could he pay her $100 to drive him halfway across the country? NO.)
I heated up some shrimp and grits leftovers for Mr. FG.
I checked in on several people via text.
When I look at this list, it’s obvious that none of the things I did are very earth-shattering.
But it is probably true that small things are what nurture relationships most.
What relationship did you nurture today?
(Or you can do yesterday…I write these posts ahead of time, so by the time this publishes, it’s all about yesterday!)
Well, I sat extra patently helping my son write his college essay applications. He needed some extra encouragement.
At a work visit of an elderly man I stayed an extra half an hour knowing that it was unpaid but I knew he needed to just talk have some company. The eldest are even more isolated now.
Yesterday morning I spent some time with my eldest son, who woke up unusually early and therefore caught me without any of his siblings in my lap or otherwise demanding my attention.
This morning I spent some time with myself, ponderously running down our road with the dogs. And no children, thank you husband.
After some super-strong reluctance on my part, I relented and let my oldest kid go along with me to get (admittedly his) jeans and random groceries yesterday when what I really wanted to do was go all by myself.
It was fine. More than fine, it was good, even. As a not-influenced-by-or-trying-to-influence-others individual kid all by himself, he’s really very nice. It’s hard for me to remember to enjoy (nurture) him. (Twelve! Oy.)
Wrote four cards to people I thought needed a boost: a friend whose mother died a few weeks ago (I figure the immediate sympathy people have faded away now), a former employee going through chemo, an acquaintance whose husband is deteriorating intellectually, and a former teacher who is in her 90s now and in a memory care facility. I know she probably doesn’t even remember me now but I know that her caretakers read her mail to her and I want them to see her as she was—an extremely well educated, assertive and independent woman. I hope it will make them treat her better.
Lindsey, as someone who works in nursing facilities, I have to say what you did makes a huge difference! I have seen it. Thank you! You are so thoughtful. My son is sending pictures of his Boy Scout troop on a recent hike to nursing homes right now. The residents are especially isolated due to the restrictions not allowing visitors.
Checked in and coordinated a food drop off for an Elder couple that I don’t really like. Lol. An hour long phone call. I should get points but that seems petty? At least the food drop off will be quick in and out. 😁
For myself, I FINALLY dropped off a bunch of old electronics to be recycled. I figured that 1994 computer should go along with its pals, the printers, and a fax machine. A car load dropped off and a new clear space in my house. Yay.
I’ll go with yesterday…
We were on our way home from a long camping trip and stopped to have dinner with my brother at a park since we were driving through the city he lives in. My brother is an introvert, very quiet, and hard to get to open up, so it’s one of those things where taking the initiative is important. Since we were coming off of an “exciting” trip, I tried to make sure we took time to listen to what was going on in his life rather than just let the kids rattle on about all of the things we did while camping. I’m glad we were able to take the time to be together, even if it made for a late night for us getting home.
Kristen–I have to tell you this: when I first read the title I couldn’t get why you what asked which relative’s hip we would want to nurture!! It says RELATIONS HIP.
Anyway, I would like to invest more time and effort into the relationship–a great one–I have with my adult daughter. We are over 3 hours apart, so I should visit more often and stay longer. We always have so much fun. Post covid I will!
Today, and for the last 5 months, I have been isolated with my husband, and we have indeed talked and reminisced more than ever. I have done so today, as I have emailed my granddaughters. I could do better. Forgot to incl. this my first comment.