I don’t know who coined the term sandwich generation, but it’s 
a very appropriate description for Alan in this stage of his life. As a late-in-life Daddy, he is busy raising little ones while at the same time caring for his 96-year-old father. Paul, my father-in-law, doesn’t live with us. He lives in an assisted living center in a neighboring town. However, he does require care from his family that he obviously didn’t have to rely on 20 years ago. For 96, he is doing very well. He is still mildly mobile, and somewhat cognitive, but the years are quickly taking their toll. Last week Alan met his Dad at our local VA facility to walk him through his annual physical and help take care of things that needed special attention. I watched Alan as he juggled his toddler son and his aging father. The similarities between grandfather and grandson are startling. Both require and want lots of Alan’s attention. Each is focused on his independence, one retaining and the other gaining. Both get frustrated easily, and each, in his own way, can have a tantrum. Alan managed both generations with patience and grace. If I had to pick a type of sandwich to describe Alan, it would be peanut butter...he is what holds his family together.
a very appropriate description for Alan in this stage of his life. As a late-in-life Daddy, he is busy raising little ones while at the same time caring for his 96-year-old father. Paul, my father-in-law, doesn’t live with us. He lives in an assisted living center in a neighboring town. However, he does require care from his family that he obviously didn’t have to rely on 20 years ago. For 96, he is doing very well. He is still mildly mobile, and somewhat cognitive, but the years are quickly taking their toll. Last week Alan met his Dad at our local VA facility to walk him through his annual physical and help take care of things that needed special attention. I watched Alan as he juggled his toddler son and his aging father. The similarities between grandfather and grandson are startling. Both require and want lots of Alan’s attention. Each is focused on his independence, one retaining and the other gaining. Both get frustrated easily, and each, in his own way, can have a tantrum. Alan managed both generations with patience and grace. If I had to pick a type of sandwich to describe Alan, it would be peanut butter...he is what holds his family together.
