One of the toughest things for Katherine has been the adjustments to making her time match my availability. Doctor’s appointments have to be carefully planned to allow traveling time. Even her waking and sleeping hours are adjusted to my hours of caregiving.
We all make minute adjustments to our schedules and calendars daily. Unfortunately for Katherine and me, my schedule is so firmly established, there’s not much flexibility – especially when it comes to doctor’s appointments.
Many of her appointments are in Gainesville. Those of you from Habersham know it’s at least an hour round-trip travel time. If we allow for parking, waiting, and actual doctor’s visit, it could be up to three hours for a simple 8-10 minute visit.
I’ve had to adjust my life as well. I have to be especially patient with the time it takes for her to get ready and out the door. For many of us, we can generally get ready in 30 – 40 minutes. For Katherine, it takes twice as long and I often have to assist her. I like to operate on “full speed ahead” and I am still learning to go at her speed. She’ll often comment, “I’m hurrying, I promise.” I know she is, but my restlessness sometimes gets the better of me.
I guess adjustments are a way of life for all of us. We adjust our speed to the driver in front of us or when we see the police! We adjust our expectations for a meal or a service provided to us. Some of us are so hard-headed that we struggle with those adjustments. Authors have written books on such people. Who Moved My Cheese is the funny title of one such book dealing with change and perceptions.
For Katherine and me, our love for each other covers a multitude of frustrating adjustments. Thankfully, we both are learning to show grace for each other.
