| Whew!Ever feel like you got away from a client by | | | | lost it - yelling at both of us, demanding we unpack |
| the skin of your teeth. | | | | her items. |
| I am helping a family move their mother from her | | | | As Mary went to unpack the boxes, I piped up, "NO!" |
| home in Toledo, OH to an assisted living home in | | | | (I felt like I just yelled at a puppy) |
| Pittsburgh, PA. "Mary," her son "Bob" and I met a | | | | "You're not in charge," Mary yelled back. |
| couple weeks ago to discuss the details for this | | | | Very calm and firmly stated, "Well, in fact, yes I am. |
| project - what was to stay and be packed. We also | | | | I am here to help move you into your new home. |
| met with a moving company to coordinate the | | | | The boxes that are packed will remain that way," as |
| delivery of Mary's furniture and personal belongings. | | | | I slid a big, heavy box in front of the closet door. |
| Mary's daughter, "Nancy," flew in from Colorado to | | | | I went on to explain that my concern is that Mary's |
| work with me on getting her mom's home packed up | | | | new home is not overcrowded with items, furniture |
| and ready for the move. Based on conversations I | | | | and clothing. Mary's wishes were to be honored as |
| had with Nancy, I was prepared for some friction | | | | best as possible. Nancy nodded and signed a bit of |
| with her mom. | | | | relief, thanking me a bit later for taking the heat |
| Friction was hardly the case. | | | | from her mom. |
| More like an explosion! | | | | Moving is quite difficult under the best circumstances. |
| Mary had far too many clothes, pictures, home decor | | | | Many families like Mary's face the daunting task of |
| and furniture for her new home. Paring down what | | | | moving their parent to an assisted living facility. |
| she had and what she needed was difficult. Early into | | | | Emotions run extremely high and buttons are pushed |
| the day, I told Nancy to let me take all the heat for | | | | on both sides. In the end, the parent will be in a |
| what we were about do to. Figuring, I would be | | | | much safer enviroment and the children will have |
| away from her mom much sooner than her. | | | | peace of mind knowing mom/dad is cared for in their |
| Well, Mary was getting pretty ticked off (even | | | | absence. |
| swearing at me) for getting her to sort through her | | | | As emotionally difficult as this is becoming, it is |
| clothes, handbags, kick knacks and papers. The last | | | | rewarding knowing I am helping a family with their |
| straw of the day was blown when Nancy and I | | | | mother and getting her into a wonderful new home. |
| packed up some kitchen decor while Mary rested in | | | | How have you taken the blame for someone? |
| her bedroom. Mary came into the kitchen and just | | | | |