About
SANDWICH SEASON is a weekly newsletter about life in the sandwich generation—
adventures in middle age, juggling the needs of aging parents, a special young adult son … and other duties as assigned.
My name is Sarah Coomber, and I’m a Minnesota-based writer who has done deep dives to bring topics to life through my work in public relations, journalism and science writing.
Since October 2023, I’ve been sharing my experiences, strategies and tips from the midst of a SANDWICH SEASON that has included:
Helping my parents age in place, at home
Organizing their move into a retirement community
Emptying their home of generations of family treasures and personal items
Working with my husband, Jon, to prepare their home for sale
Helping my dad care for my mom as dementia and other health problems emerged
Experiencing healing in my relationship with Mom before she passed away
Helping Dad plan Mom’s memorial service and delivering the eulogy
Overseeing our dog Leo’s recovery after a near-death experience
Supporting Dad through a stroke less than two months after Mom died … and then a TIA … and then COVID
Buying my parents’ home (with Jon, of course) and moving in
Preparing and selling our home (without a Realtor)
Supporting Dad through a second move
Preparing our son, Max, to move into a group home
Celebrating Max’s graduation from high school
Losing Leo
And so on …
No one would choose to go through all of these changes and challenges over a couple of years, but I’m glad I’ve been here for it. This is a full season, one with blessings and lessons that outweigh its burdens.
My goal for SANDWICH SEASON is to offer camaraderie, encouragement and hope to others—along with some tips for navigating this season of life.
Popular SANDWICH SEASON stories
Learning to ask for help: our ‘awkward, brave and kind’ email
Hanging up the car keys: a Dad/daughter conversation (with Jim—“Dad”—Coomber)
Our suddenly empty nest: feeling grateful and gutted all at once
The Mother's Day card that got it right: it’s OK that it’s a year late
Everything is important ... but not today
Tiny miracles: some days I see them all around
Subscribe
SANDWICH SEASON is published Thursday (sometimes Friday) mornings. When you subscribe, each issue will appear in your inbox and/or in your Substack app.
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PAID OPTION: If you would like to financially support my work on this ongoing independent writing project, please consider a paid subscription for $5/month or $50/year. There is also a Founding Member option with a suggested $100/year.
More about me
My memoir, The Same Moon (Camphor Press, 2020), tells the story of how I traded out my wrecked young adulthood for two years in Japan that helped me find my way home.
I teach Christ-centered yoga and play the koto—Japanese zither.
