Salt and Predilection

The advertising phrase "When it rains, it pours" has been around almost 100 years, signifying Morton's Salt will not succumb to the elements of humid or damp weather. The words of the ad are, in turn, used more than the original proverb "It never rains, but it pours" to signify how troubles seem to occur in excess. If salt clumps in a shaker, a few grains of rice added to the non-Morton's salt can remedy the problem.  A few grains of salt, however, can perhaps remedy the excess of troubles.
Mom, who lives in a skilled care facility, called me the other day asking if I had any rice and could she have a couple of tablespoons. The salt had clumped up in the shaker at her usual table in the community dining room, and she thought she would add a few grains of rice to all the shakers. I told her I'd bring some rice, but after giving the issue thought, realized the simplest solution was to ask the staff for a different shaker.
On my next visit, I explained to Mom that bringing in rice from an outside source is not considered sanitary, would be a health code violation, and that all she needs to do is ask for a replacement.  She acknowledged I was probably right.
Rather than focus on her own needs and ask for help when she needs it, Mom prefers to fix everyone else's problems. While this seems altruistic, her contrived notions of healing the world, or at least all the problems - real or imagined - on her wing of the facility, leaves me with the task of negotiating with her. Even though she may understand my logic at the time, she later will comment on how I won't let her do what she wants.
In dealing with the salt issue, I found irony in how I often am dealing with multiple "Mom" issues, hence, when it rains it pours. Yet, if I take the troubles or Mom's antics with a grain of salt, I find them much easier to handle.
Even more intriguing are the salt related idioms that can apply to caregivers:
Rub salt in a wound - Often felt when the one in our care points out any deficits in the care we give.
Salt of the earth - The humble caregiver who needs to recognize his or her own value.

Writing ... again

Starting this blog was something I wanted to do for myself as well as to share insight with others. Unfortunately, when my mother discovered my blog, and I found myself defending my posts, I set my efforts on the proverbial back burner. 

Mom's situation has changed, and though she is still living, she is less likely to stumble on my musings. Too many times, I've said, "I need to write this down," and didn't.  So, armed with fodder and feeling somewhat autonomous, I am going to fluff up the pillows in my imaginary window and write.