Are You a Member of the Sandwich Generation?

If you are like me, when you think of a sandwich your mind might go to a club sandwich, a grilled cheese sandwich, or my favorite as a child, a fried bologna sandwich. But did you know there is an actual Sandwich Generation? 

If you have aging parents, children, and even grandchildren and feel some sense of responsibility for all these generations including your own, well join the club. You and I are both in this generation and the analogy of a sandwich makes perfect sense. It may even be a panini!

This is especially true when one or more of these generations are facing health issues and financial strains, or does this sound familiar: aging parents who refuse to leave their home?

Perhaps you read on a social media post that a classmate from high school died suddenly. You regret not visiting the last time you visited your hometown. You wish you had been bolder with your faith the last time you saw him. You ask God for forgiveness and promise yourself to listen to the Holy Spirit when you are called to share the Gospel. Your friend with breast cancer immediately comes to mind. 

You reflect on the conversations you have had in the last year and the vague sense of anxiety bubbles to the surface. You announce to the empty room, I am the sandwich generation! No wonder I feel like I am squeezed from front and back! I haven’t had time to even take care of my own health. Your next thought is, “I really do need to schedule that long overdue colonoscopy.”

If any of the above is relatable, then remember this analogy. There is a reason the flight attendants tell you to put on your own oxygen mask before placing one on your child. It’s to keep you alive while you then help your child. The same rule applies to your health. What are you missing while taking care of everyone else? 

In the next post, let’s discuss more about how to take care of you! 

– Dr. Pamela

Thank you for reading my blog! I’m Dr. Pamela Prince Pyle, a hospitalist specializing in death, grief, and suffering with over thirty years of experience. My upcoming book, “Anticipating Heaven,” is set to release in January 2025 and explores the intersection of faith and medicine in approaching life’s final chapters. If you or a loved one have received a serious diagnosis, I have resources to help you navigate this challenging time. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to share your story. Your journey matters, and I’m here to support you.