Squiggle & Heart, No. 64

Like many almost-44 year olds, I’m living my best(?) Sandwich Generation life right now, commuting between Massachusetts and New York City every week to help care for a loved one having medical issues. Though in truth, often when I talk about the particular struggles of being middle aged I feel like an imposter, as I have no children of my own to facilitate the “squeeze.”

However, as we are in the last month of my mentee’s high school career, and therefore the end of our official “Smartpartnership,” as it’s called at The 52nd Street Project, getting back to New York for our time together has become non-negotiable for my heart. As exhausted as I am (and I have on more than one occasion in the last few weeks woken up and not known which bed I’m in), this last precious time with her is a high.

It’s my own unique version of The Squeeze, but it’s The Squeeze nonetheless.

Sometimes the Life platform feels like a trampoline, with ample rebound, sometimes it feels like a cement block. I will say at least for now I keep finding the springs - the little things and big things that keep me buoyant: hummingbirds, my mentee’s successes, breezes, feeling of service.

May your springs be robust, your highs floaty, and your lows rebounding. In every parabola there is an instance of complete stillness. May we feel it when it arrives.