It is so important as caregivers to be able to fully focus and be present for whatever task you have at hand. That is why I am a firm believer in transition time. It's the time you take between activities to get your mind and body in sync to be able to be focused as attentive in your duties. I work a full time job and come home to be with my family practically everyday. When I leave the office, I head straight home. No transition there. But when I get home, I pop in to say hello to my Mom. I get a rundown on how the day has been and we decide on dinner. Then, I spend the next few minutes doing the regular stuff (bringing in the mail, kicking off my shoes). And I go make dinner all alone. That's my transition from the office to home for the evening. I quiet the thoughts, concentrate on making the best meal I can and the day melts away leaving me ready for the evening. By the time we sit down for dinner, I am ready to engage with my Mom and make it a good experience for all. We talk about the day. We share some laughs. We even play games after dinner before her evening of prime time TV. It really makes a positive difference for both of us.
I learned on my recent trip to Jamaica that I need transition time more than I thought I did. I went to attend the wedding of the youngest daughter of a very dear friend. It took months of planning to be able to go alone and insure that everything would be fine at home during my 5 days away. I took care to look after every detail at home shopping for food and meal planning. I left a list of stuff for each person who would be pitching in during this time. I made sure we had plenty of backup for all of the medical supplies and prescriptions that are needed. So much so that I did not even pack until the morning of my departure. So I was pretty geared up as I left for the airport retracing my mental "to do" list to make sure I had not missed anything. I did not want the delays caused by baggage claim. So, I packed everything into a carry on sized piece of luggage with wheels so that I could be in control of all of my stuff. I wasn't late but I zoomed through the airport to get to the gate as quick as TSA allowed. I packed all the right snacks for the trip and ate a meal before boarding the plane. I had electronics and 2 books to fill my waiting time. Free wifi helped me stay connected.
I sat next to a New Yorker who has a second home in Ocho Rios. She was an interesting character. She talked to everybody that she could on the flight. Over the seats, across the aisle (from her center seat). I had on over-the-ear headphones. A big sign that I wanted to be alone for my transition time. But she talked to me anyway. We got our beverages from the steward. Coffee for each of us. But she fell asleep with he coffee in her hand and turned the cup over on herself and the lady sitting in the aisle seat of our row! Excitement ensued. The lady on the aisle changed seats and the New Yorker then chose to speak to me exclusively when she wasn't nodding off. So, needless to say, I stayed in my seat the entire flight resisting the urge to get up and go to the lavatory. I didn't want that much interaction. This lead me to a mad dash upon landing, with all of my gear in tow, to find a a restroom. It's a mighty long way to customs in the airport in Montego Bay! But I beat many folks who disembarked the plane ahead of me to rush down there. I made it to the restroom and through customs. Still traveling at warp speed. Transition Time: 0 Mad rush: 1. But I was really happy as I passed all those waiting for their luggage to come around on the carousel. I smiled as I walked by.
Transportation to the resort in Ochco Rios was a shuttle bus. Finding the counter for the company was not swift. It took 3 people reading my travel documents to get me to the right desk. Once there, I expected to be served as I was the only one there. I was told to wait just a moment. The moment ended up to be about 10 minutes of the agent in front of me doing other things before he got to me. That when I realized I was in the Caribbean and I need to slow my roll. I have 5 days of just chilling in my future. Unfortunately, the bus ride was about 2 hours but I wasn't expecting it to take so long. So, I spent most of the trip trying to stay calm and occupied with reading and games. Transition Time: 1. Preoccupation: 1.
Once I reached my destination, I could hear the ocean. I could see the stars. I just sat outside and chilled. I think the transition is complete. I have very few plans for the next few days and very few places that I absolutely have to be. So, I am going to rest my mind and enjoy being here.
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