An awe-inspiring story of a caregiver - helped my perspective

LovingAwareness

Yesterday I was feeling mired in stress and anger, wishing that this awful journey caring for my Dad could be over and I could be free, and I came upon this story in one of my news feeds. It is a story of a woman in Dallas whose son was paralyzed in a football accident in high school, and she dedicated the rest of her life to caring for him. I realize it is a different situation, caring for a child versus an elder, but her dedication filled me with awe and maybe a little bit of humility, as I am not required to do even half of what she did for her son without doubt or complaint. At the end of this story, the brother of the paralyzed man is asked why he is not selling the house where his brother and Mom lived for all of those painful years of sacrifice, and he says, "It was a good home." It just slayed me and made me think about my desire for freedom versus making our family home a good home. 

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/still-life?utm_source=pocket-newtab 

I know the road we are all on is a tough one, and maybe you are not in the mood for something like this, but I wanted to share it just in case it might hit someone else the way it hit me.

Sjodry

LovingAwareness,

Thanks for sharing. I think it helps us to have these reminders. I remember (more than one time) grumbling in my head about having to go to mom’s AGAIN. I stopped myself and thought..guess what Mom doesn’t remember I was there yesterday, the day before and all of the weeks and months before that. For her, each day is filled with joy each time she sees me walk in and I help to enliven her. That is the way I approach every visit, every day!

Take care.

Sandy

eaglemom

I used to call those 'light bulb' moments. May times its a 'light bulb' moment, but I've also felt like it was a solid kick in the backside. This journey is not easy, but alas it has many moments of sheer happiness. May we all find some in the days to come.

eagle

Stuck in the middle

My next door neighbor did that.  Quit her job teaching music to care for her son, and would still be doing it if the cigarettes hadn't nailed her.  There's a lot of good people in this world.