Am I the woman who cried wolf?
And by “wolf” I mean “vacation”
<Welcome to Sandwich Season, where I explore the burdens and blessings of life in the sandwich generation—in the hopes of encouraging others in similar times.>
Pics from a successful mini-vacation
Dear friends,
I’m so glad you’re here. Thank you all for joining me in Sandwich Season, for your hearts/likes and comments, your emails and your recommendations. You have helped fill this monumental season with warmth and connection, and I am so grateful.
Those of you who have been here for a while might recall my “Sometimes we need to take a break” post from February.
In it, I shared the importance of caring for the middle of the sandwich—those of us supporting our younger and older generations. I claimed that I was going to slow down, step back, rest and refuel. I alleged that I was going to release myself from writing weekly Sandwich Season posts.
You might have noticed that lasted a week. I took one Thursday off and then hopped right back in the saddle. Something like the boy who cried “wolf,” I’ve realized that I’m the woman who cried “vacation.”
My wise friend Jill K. pointed out to me that my earlier failed break is very much in keeping with what happens in sandwich season. We have moments—days, even the odd week—when we think all is clear. Hmmm, Dad seems stable, Max seems stable, Jon and I seem stable (not that I would dare say any of this out loud). Maybe now would be a good time to take a vacation, start a new project, reorganize the coat closet. And then the next thing you know—WHOOMP!—something comes up.
Even just a small whoomp! reminds us that there are few truly carefree times in sandwich season. Maybe that’s true for all of life.
Anyway, it’s no wonder I couldn’t make my break mentality stick.
So today I’m not going to announce that I’m taking a break.
But! For the next couple of months, I am going to mine my previous 79 posts and share my favorites with you.
And while I am not taking a break, I just might let my thoughts settle a bit before returning to the list of stories I still have for this passion project that Sandwich Season has become.
In case you are wondering, I have already given my paid subscribers a heads up and a bit more back story. Also, I’ve let them know that I am pausing paid subscriptions until September 1, 2025—extending annual subscriptions for two months.
And if any of you free subscribers are inspired to join their ranks this summer, I will do the same for you.
Current perks
Remember: Everyone who upgrades to a paid annual subscription to Sandwich Season by Monday, June 16, 2025, will be:
1. Eligible for a free obituary writing workshop. The next one is scheduled for June 16 and 23.
2. Entered into a drawing for a copy of my Japan memoir, The Same Moon.
Sending all best wishes … or should I say … all rest wishes :),
Sarah
Feel free to reply to this email with questions or comments, or leave a comment here:
Registration for the June obit workshop is open!
We’ll be writing an obituary—either for you or a loved one—in this two-session workshop June 16 and 23, 2025. Please feel free to share with others who might be interested. More information here:
The Same Moon drawing is in June
Reminder: Everyone who becomes a paid subscriber by June 16, 2025, will be entered in a drawing to win one of two (or more) copies of my Japan memoir, The Same Moon. (Why this? Why now? It’s a 5-year book-iversary!)
Enjoy all the turtle time, wolf calls and writing/not writing you can this summer. Sandwich season lasts a long time, but summer goes by fast.