Balancing needs

Yesterday I went out for the first time in almost a week. M.A. needed some things from her home and I was feeling much better, so I went. So glad I did. We got to have a long talk about her situation. Here's the deal. She has no family that can help her. And when I arrived in New Mexico, I was homeless and broken, spiritually and emotionally. She took me in--a complete stranger. The story is in my memoir, for those who are curious about the details.

There is no way I cannot step up and step in to help her. So I've agreed to be her personal health care representative so that I can communicate with her docs, make decisions if she can't, etc. I am making phone calls and researching options for what she will do when she is released from the skilled nursing facility. We still don't know the prognosis.

So for me, in addition to managing my own life, I am now managing M.A. and my mother-in-law. It's all okay. As hard as it is, it feels so right to be able to do something to help this woman who gave me the possibility to have the incredible life I now have. If writing isn't happening, so be it. If I have to let go of other things so I have the time and energy to help her, so be it.

For those who expressed concern about my taking on too much, please don't worry. I am really taking all of this into account and balancing my needs against the needs of those who are needier than me right now. I am okay.

Blessings,
Karen