by D. Brawn-Mitchell

Created on: September 09, 2008   Last Updated: November 01, 2008

The Hub

The sky between the office towers is blue and the day seems promising even with a slight autumn chill in the air. I'm on my way to work and am taking a few minutes to just breathe, before I call Mom and Dad. New "calling times" to my aging parents have become essential. My hubby being highly sensitive to loud noises and hub-bub declared that my loud calls to my loud family are too loud, but mainly too often, in our small living space. I got the point.

Mom and Dad need a lot of attention from their middle-aged kids. My kids need attention too, but they are at a stage in life that gives them the right to select the timing, apparently. "Don't call me, I'll call you", but when they do call, they expect prompt and informative replies and money or something.

Three times a week on the way to work, 20 minutes each time keeps me within my $20 per month long distance limit. I coupled the phone time idea with a half hour of exercise, walking to work. I soon realized that as usual, multi-tasking could be tricky. Keeping up my pace is hard while at the same time trying to concentrate on the hearing issues: "What did you say? What's that noise? Don't talk to strangers" is my instant feedback.

The bluetooth earpiece was an unsuccessful venture. I was so hoping to go hands free. I suppose I could have bought a more expensive one, only to make the budget for my youngest son in university a little tighter. As it was, the bluetooth picked up everything else along with my voice, such as traffic, police sirens, and firetrucks. Conversations turned into contests between myself trying to overcome the hearing disabilities and the best of evening news.

On a good day, I answer all the questions about my parents' three grandchildren, bear their scolding that I'm not keeping close enough contact with my kids or I'd have more to report. (Did I mention that I only hear from the kids when they contact me?) I squeeze in quick answers about myself and ask for details on their last doctor's appointment. I listen to a familiar story or two again, closing with the scoop on their friends and neighbors.

The kids are "busy" with their own lives, and when they do want an update on grandma and grandpa, or anyone/thing else, they can always ask me, the Hub. I'm the "Hub" of the family wheel. To understate slightly, being a hub can be a somewhat difficult position to take on. It can be thankless, guilt riddled, burdensome and exhausting depending on the level of the particular project.

"Mom, I'm in

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