have to's or get to's

I am an official sandwich!!!! That is, I am in the generation that has a family to care for, plus a parent to care for.
It is easy for me to schedule things on my calendar and check them off when the job is done. As for me, (and everyone I know)... life is on the fast track with NO signs of slowing down. I put my time and dates on the calendar for: dropping off children for work, ballet, friends and taking care of my mom. After awhile, life becomes a list of to-dos. I can get an attitude very easy...especially if I don't think I'm appreciated! My mom is almost ninety two. She is a delightful woman that is very kind hearted! She has dementia and also needs full time care....kind of like a newborn. At times she can get testy, and I start to get frustrated! My daughters, (who help take care of their grandma) are teaching me SO much! No matter what they do, they make it fun!
One day, my mom started to pick on Amy (and I could feel my flesh rise up). Amy, calmly went to the back door, and went out. I was mad!!! I thought she was hurt and went out back to cry...but two seconds later the doorbell rang, and in walked Amy, who went right to her Grandma and said "Hi, Grandma" to which my mom promptly responded..."Oh, JOY!!! Look who's here"!!!!!
Another day, it was VERY hot. The girl's (Amy and Elisabeth) are trapped in one room as Grandma needs constant care, so they told Granma that they were taking her out to get some sun. She got mad and told them "NO", she was going to stay put! Well, the girl's went and got a piece of paper, and after a bit handed it to her and told her to read it. It said..."the Doctor has ordered you to have twenty minutes of sunshine per day....signed, Dr. White". After she read the "perscription", she said well, since the Dr. ordered it, okay!
Last summer, the girl's had a lemonade stand outside with Grandma and some neighbor kids,(and earned twelve dollars), they have dressed up in Grandma clothes and pretended to be old friends (since all her family and friends are gone), they have taken her on walks with her wheelchair and parked her under a tree and said "tell us about when you were a girl" which she remembers SO well....they have dressed her in high heels(while in her wheelchair) given her make-overs, taught her how to pose for the constant teenage picture taking, changed her depends and listened, overlooked things and LOVED.....all with JOY and allowing her to keep her dignity! I am SO blessed by them as I watch and learn...and once in a while I warn them of what's going to happen with me!
I am convinced that all the grandchildren with their different giftings are keeping her alive, giving her a sense of purpose and fulfillment while keeping her "young" at ninety-two as they( and I) GET TO help take care of Grandma (mom). "The JOY of the Lord is our strength"!!!!