“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.” ~ George Washington Carver
Reminders of our mortality provide us with the opportunity to slow down, enjoy the “little things in life” and be grateful. This week my husband had foot surgery and we found ourselves on yet another health journey where we must rely on the expertise and kindness of total strangers, who quickly become a very important part of our lives, even if only for a short time.
This health odyssey is not our first nor will it be our last. As human beings we will all find ourselves eventually dealing with health issues. Some of us may have more than others but we all share this one, common trait. Life is finite and at various times, we are forced to face that reality.
Being a caregiver is not a new role for me. Both my husband and I have traded roles throughout our years together. My own chronic health issues have involved surgeries, hospital stays and recuperations. In 2020, we both worked together to help our son, Michael, with his own journey with juvenile epilepsy. And, of course, there were many doctors, nurses and therapists who have guided us along the way.
The hardest part of being a caregiver, in my opinion, involves yourself more than the patient. My niece reminded me, in a lovely text a few days ago, to not forget to take time to take care of myself too.
So many times, especially if you are an empath and you literally take on some of the pain of others, you can find yourself becoming exhausted quickly.
Maintaining some of your daily rituals (to keep a sense of normalcy), eating properly (and trying to get as much sleep as you can, which isn’t easy) and getting outside for walks, fresh air and sunshine…all of these are part of my daily goals…
I would also add laughing on a daily basis really helps me. Whether it is reconnecting with retired friends for lunch, enjoying the Coloring Club at the church I work at, exchanging hilarious stories with my friend, Libby, over the phone, or watching cute cat videos online…laughter can be among the best of medicines.
We also need to recognize that each of us has our own battles and being kind to one another is essential.
The day before the surgery, my husband, son and I went to take care of some errands and while at our local bank we had a brief conversation with an elderly gentleman sitting on a bench outside. He asked, as we left the bank, if it was very busy inside and we replied that it wasn’t.
I was concentrating on my “to do” list in my head and focusing on getting my husband, who was on crutches, back into our truck. When I went to start our vehicle, I noticed the man was still sitting on the bench, trying hard to get up and he had no one to help him.
I got out, walked up to him and offered my hand. He smiled, took it and together we got him standing up and walking into the bank, his cane in hand.
As I watched him make his way inside, I was reminded of how easy it is in this busy, modern world, filled with distractions, to lose track of the fragility of each human being and how, someday, if I am blessed with old age, I hope another person will lend me their hand.
If every person just spent a small portion of their day, looking for those moments…just think how much better our world would be…
Remembering Our Fathers…
These are among my favorite pictures of my father - the first one is of my father holding our newborn son and the second is me sitting on my Dad’s knee on a beach by Lake Superior.
My father was a man who deeply loved his family but grew up in a time where expressing emotions was not common for men. However, as I look back at these pictures I can see, and feel, his love and pride.
I lost my father back in 2007 to dementia but I think of him everyday. My home is filled with pictures, family keepsakes and small objects that bring back wonderful memories.
I hope this Father’s Day, if your father is still on this planet, that you connect with him and enjoy every moment you can, as often as you can.
This week’s Smile Video
Phil Morgese has always been good with his hands on "guy stuff." But when it came to styling his daughter's hair, he struggled to keep up. He watched videos and practiced, eventually mastering his skills. He decided to share his new knowledge with other dads. Steve Hartman reports.
#believe #stevehartman #smilevideos
What I am reading…
This week I am continuing to read Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts. This is a very enjoyable read and if you love historical fiction, I think you would enjoy reading it.
While in the waiting room earlier this week, I finished re-reading our next WISE book club choice entitled Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig.
The Amazon summary is as follows: “At the age of 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through a crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again.
A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth.
"I wrote this book because the oldest clichés remain the truest. Time heals. The bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view. The tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven't been able to see it . . . Words, just sometimes, really can set you free..”
This book is not for everyone. It is raw at times but relatable to many people and it tackles a difficult topic that many are not comfortable discussing.
But how do we start to erase the stigma of mental illness, if we don’t even start to try?
This week’s TED Talk - Reciprocal Service: The Gift of Serving Others
I have watched TED Talks for many years now. I love the wide variety of experiences and opinions TED Talks offer. Here is one I would like to share for this week:
It is good to serve others. Miguel shares his experience of serving Native Americans and discovers an addiction to serving. Miguel has been inspiring students to take action for over a decade. Since the age of eight he has written and published two books, started his non-profit “Kids 4 Our World” and organized city-wide and international volunteering campaigns. Miguel continues spreading his message that anyone can make a difference regardless of how young they might be.
StoryCorps - Daddy’s Lesson
Arguster and Lebronze Davis, along with their 15 siblings, grew up on their family’s farm in Wetumpka, Alabama in the 1950s. Their dad, Ben Davis, taught them many life lessons on the farm. They remember his words and deeds for the people around him, and reflect on the only things a person can truly own.
Children’s Corner - Just Me and My Dad
Little Critter and his dad go camping. What fun things will they do? Find out in "Just Me and My Dad," by Mercer Mayer. This book is dedicated to dads all around the world to celebrate Father's Day!
Holistic Wellness Spotlight - exploring the mind/body connection
Dr. Wayne Dyer was an American self-help author and a motivational speaker. This is another example of his powerful work.
“I am loved, I am healed, I am protected, I am at peace, I am full of joy, I am overwhelmingly abundantly pouring and shining bright as a star from God's work in my life.”
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….