A Cup of Tea on The Commode
Mark Steven Porro
Mark enjoyed his carefree bachelor’s life in Los Angeles. He had no steady girlfriend, no children, few responsibilities outside of work. But that all changed when “The Call” came. Genevieve, his eighty-nine-year-old mother, was on her deathbed. He rushed back to New Jersey to be by her side. Hours became days, days became weeks, then she woke up. So, he moved back into his childhood home and took over her care. His first task was to remove all hazards, which included the current caregivers.
After, Mark asked his mother, “Do you trust me?” She whispered, “Yes.” “Do you understand I will do everything in my power to keep you healthy and safe?” She smiled and nodded. “That means I’m in charge, and that means now you must obey me.” Her mood shifted in an instant. She looked him dead in the eye, then puckered up her lips. He wasn’t sure if this was a sign of surrender or one wishing him luck. He kissed her and hoped for the best.
The parent/child role reversal may not have been unique to Mark, but how he dealt with it was. One day, hoping to make Genevieve’s time on the commode a tad more pleasant, he offered her a cup of her favorite beverage. It was a hit, and a cup of tea on the commode became a staple on the morning menu, and the clear choice for the title of this intimate, funny, and heartwarming memoir of how eldercare can be done.
A Cup of Tea on the Commode chronicles Mark’s multitasking adventures of filling his mother’s last years with love, laughter, and joy. Though not always successful, he came pretty damn close.
Duration - 7h 25m.
Author - Mark Steven Porro.
Narrator - Mark Steven Porro.
Published Date - Monday, 01 January 2024.
Copyright - © 2023 Mark Steven Porro ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
Mark enjoyed his carefree bachelor’s life in Los Angeles. He had no steady girlfriend, no children, few responsibilities outside of work. But that all changed when “The Call” came. Genevieve, his eighty-nine-year-old mother, was on her deathbed. He rushed back to New Jersey to be by her side. Hours became days, days became weeks, then she woke up. So, he moved back into his childhood home and took over her care. His first task was to remove all hazards, which included the current caregivers. After, Mark asked his mother, “Do you trust me?” She whispered, “Yes.” “Do you understand I will do everything in my power to keep you healthy and safe?” She smiled and nodded. “That means I’m in charge, and that means now you must obey me.” Her mood shifted in an instant. She looked him dead in the eye, then puckered up her lips. He wasn’t sure if this was a sign of surrender or one wishing him luck. He kissed her and hoped for the best. The parent/child role reversal may not have been unique to Mark, but how he dealt with it was. One day, hoping to make Genevieve’s time on the commode a tad more pleasant, he offered her a cup of her favorite beverage. It was a hit, and a cup of tea on the commode became a staple on the morning menu, and the clear choice for the title of this intimate, funny, and heartwarming memoir of how eldercare can be done. A Cup of Tea on the Commode chronicles Mark’s multitasking adventures of filling his mother’s last years with love, laughter, and joy. Though not always successful, he came pretty damn close. Duration - 7h 25m. Author - Mark Steven Porro. Narrator - Mark Steven Porro. Published Date - Monday, 01 January 2024. Copyright - © 2023 Mark Steven Porro ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:39
Dedication: Dear Mom
Duration:00:00:41
Prologue: Genevieve's Vision
Duration:00:02:15
Chapter 1: The Call
Duration:00:10:14
Chapter 2: An Only Child
Duration:00:06:58
Chapter 3: The Lone Wolf
Duration:00:08:16
Chapter 4: Mum's the Word
Duration:00:16:23
Chapter 5: Silent Scream
Duration:00:05:04
Chapter 6: Bigger Fireplace
Duration:00:03:48
Chapter 7: Genevieve's Warehouse
Duration:00:15:39
Chapter 8: Be Patient
Duration:00:05:04
Chapter 9: Surviving Catholic
Duration:00:11:44
Chapter 10: It Took a Thief
Duration:00:05:54
Chapter 11: Planting the Seed
Duration:00:06:39
Chapter 12: A Recurring Dream
Duration:00:03:18
Chapter 13: Salt & Pepper
Duration:00:04:35
Chapter 14: My Brother Teresa
Duration:00:09:14
Chapter 15: The Miracle Poop
Duration:00:09:54
Chapter 16: Is That Your Picasso
Duration:00:10:35
Chapter 17: Best Medicine
Duration:00:01:57
Chapter 18: Odd Jobs
Duration:00:03:55
Chapter 19: New Ballgame
Duration:00:11:31
Chapter 20: Full Circle
Duration:00:10:37
Chapter 21: Better Than Food
Duration:00:06:40
Chapter 22: Get Mom Some Help
Duration:00:05:14
Chapter 23: Deja Vu All Over Again
Duration:00:05:10
Chapter 24: Natale The Mayor
Duration:00:09:30
Chapter 25: You Can Take The Kid Out
Duration:00:08:32
Chapter 26: There's a New Sheriff in Town
Duration:00:06:18
Chapter 27: Champion of the Arts
Duration:00:08:48
Chapter 28: Parade of Aids
Duration:00:10:38
Chapter 29: Not Another Fire Please
Duration:00:09:01
Chapter 30: Single Fifty Five
Duration:00:02:26
Chapter 31: The UPC Label Mystery
Duration:00:04:24
Chapter 32: I Am My Mother's Son
Duration:00:05:01
Chapter 33: Battle of the Dutch Door
Duration:00:03:00
Chapter 34: Give Me a Break
Duration:00:07:22
Chapter 35: Reality Will Be Unkind to You
Duration:00:02:32
Chapter 36: You Don't See Them
Duration:00:04:03
Chapter 37: If You Rebuild It
Duration:00:08:06
Chapter 38: Day of Beauty
Duration:00:09:18
Chapter 39: Personal Chef
Duration:00:08:07
Chapter 40: Maniaque du Menage
Duration:00:03:02
Chapter 41: And As Swift As Evolution
Duration:00:04:02
Chapter 42: Wiping Butt
Duration:00:06:10
Chapter 43: Just the Two of Us
Duration:00:03:35
Chapter 44: Queen for a Day
Duration:00:05:57
Chapter 45: Genevieve and the Two Gs
Duration:00:03:08
Chapter 46: Hurricane Sandy
Duration:00:05:35
Chapter 47: Why Are You Doing This?
Duration:00:08:00
Chapter 48: Bed, Bath and Beyond
Duration:00:05:00
Chapter 49: My Conversation With God
Duration:00:04:42
Chapter 50: Kleenex Tissues
Duration:00:02:41
Chapter 51: House Calls
Duration:00:05:24
Chapter 52: When Are You Coming Home?
Duration:00:03:35
Chapter 53: Third Time No Charm
Duration:00:16:57
Chapter 54: Martini Anyone?
Duration:00:03:00
Chapter 55: Halloween Delayed
Duration:00:06:02
Chapter 56: A Surprise Letter
Duration:00:04:42
Chapter 57: My Chick Magnet
Duration:00:03:05
Chapter 58: Three More Birthdays
Duration:00:06:49
Chapter 59: The End Is Near
Duration:00:06:43
Chapter 60: Letting Go
Duration:00:24:03
Chapter 61: Our Journey Ends
Duration:00:11:51
Epilogue: Mark's Vision
Duration:00:02:20
Afterword
Duration:00:05:29
Acknowledgements
Duration:00:03:15
68 - End Credits.mp3
Duration:00:01:06