There is nothing I love more than being in the middle of it!
I love being in the middle of the mess and problem solving my way out. However, a few years ago I found myself in the sticky in-between of caregiving, a place where the rules of problem solving didn’t always work and the way through meant learning acceptance was a stepping stone and not a concession. I’m still learning and processing and documenting my journey here.
Observing Participant…
is a play on the social science research method, Participant Observation, which supports full immersion into the worlds and lives of our focused research. For me, it's an expression of my deep curiosity for the world around me and my desire to explore it.
I started Observing Participant a few years ago to share my thoughts about going back to school in my 40s and the projects I was working on. Now that I have graduated, Observing Participant is evolving to share more about living in the in-between when there are transitions on the horizon.
In the last few years I have discovered that I am a “sandwiched caregiver”, meaning I care for both an aging family member and now an adult teen. This also means I have been observing & participating in the healthcare system in America for some time, and it has been an eye opening (read frustrating) experience that informs my interests (read questions) and inspires my advocacy.
I try to question my own bias and think critically (thank you Anthropology training), which means Observing Participant represents thoughts, ideas, and opinions I have formed through literature reviews, interviews, research, and lived experience that center on the ideas of care.
About me
I’m a big advocate for sharing our stories and fully embracing the value of life lessons. I enjoy supporting families looking to share their legacy stories and believe storytelling is a wonderful form of care. I come by it honestly; I grew up in a small community on the East Coast of Nova Scotia where stories and afternoon (and evening) tea are still the best place for hearing the local news ;).
One of my favorite quotes comes from Eudora Welty, she said:
“The events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves, they find their own order…the continuous thread of revelation.”
In general, I believe the topic of care is one that needs much more attention and discussion if we are going to understand the decisions made and the beliefs and practices held around healthcare, parenting, and personhood in America.
I hope you’ll join me as I ponder ideas of care from the perspective of an anthropologist, mother, and sandwiched caregiver.
With care,
Tami Lynn
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