I’m not sure how to process all of the emotions that have come up for me, or how to just be cool given that my parents may never return home again.  I graduated with a doctoral degree in September.  It was actually a week before I turned 40, and now I navigate nursing facilities, missed doctor’s appointments, 11K in current bills, and realizing that my parents will maybe never be independent again.  My Dad has Parkinson’s.  The diagnosis that I got on Friday explains a lot.

Anyway, those circumstances related to my Mom being unable to use her hands and arms or walk, and my Dad on a quick road of significant demise will just unfold.  But this morning, I had another unique frustration.  It has nothing to do with managed care.

What is it with soap pumps?  I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t have the most dexterity or efficiency with my hands, but these damn things never seem to operate correctly.  I don’t get joy out of building things, and I typically want hygiene products to just, you know, work.  But, this morning, even my very able partner could not get the pump to pop up on the liquid soap.

It looks innocent in its inoperable state, but I assure you getting it to pop up can cause rage to ensue.

This one had no directional arrows and just wouldn’t do anything, but spin.  When she gave up, I was shocked.  Apparently this is not for “everyone,” because she has wonderful fine motor coordination and it eluded her.  I had visions of all the shampoo bottles wherein I’ve just pulled out the pump and dumped waaaaay too much shampoo into my palm.  I didn’t want another bottle failure.  I was so angry, but steady, and kept pushing it down while turning it when it finally popped up!  Some things do work when lots is going wrong 🙂