Christmas can be joyous as we celebrate the birth of our LORD and enjoy family and friends. As caregiver, you may be wishing that the holidays were over or anticipating them with a dread because the expected and extra “doing” is added stress. You have family coming into town to see the parent you care for and hold resentment towards one or more of them for their lack of support or for telling you how to do things when they never offer actual help. You can’t find anyone to watch your care recipient so you may go with your husband to his office party. Your care receiver struggles to recognize ... Read the Post
He has Dealt Bountifully With Me
I would cry out, “How long, O Lord? How long,” as I would leave the nursing home where my mother spent the last five years of her life. Due to a terrible fall and surgery, Mama would never be able to fully walk again. Previously, her mind had slipped into a roller coaster of dementia-ridden fear, repetition, accusation, jealousy, confusion, and hallucinations. Diabetes turned to Type 1 at age 85, making her insulin-dependent until the day she died at age 98. Then in her last year of life, she got an extremely painful, odd cancer. I loved my Mama dearly and she loved her family. I loved to ... Read the Post
The Lifter of My Head
Do you recall a time when you were young and someone you loved and adored, someone you looked up to, stood before you, took your chin gently and raised your lowered head with their hand? Your lip may have been quivering with a tear running down your cheek. That tall person lifted your head until your eyes met with theirs. You saw love in those eyes; you sensed the care and gentleness they felt towards you. Your heart was touched by this tall one's protection, reassurance, and unconditional love for you, just you, at that very moment in time. Spend the next few minutes remembering such a ... Read the Post
A Weaving in Process
I have been a weaver for many years, and I’ve gradually learned the art of weaving, honing the skill until it became my own art and different from every other weaver. God has created each one of us as unique creations – absolutely one of a kind. We are woven by God. A weaving begins with a loom, a frame, a hoop, and some type of firm outward structure. Upon the structure the warp is strung in parallel lines with a strong yarn that holds tension, such as linen, cotton, or tightly spun wool. Woven over and under the warp is the weft (also called woof), which is usually a wool (sheep, llama, ... Read the Post
A Toothpaste Lesson
A friend was teaching her four year old son about spoken words. She wanted him to know how important it is to think before he speaks, to use either kind words or no words at all, and to respond when spoken to in an uplifting and respectful manner. She wrote the word "W O R D" on a piece of cardboard, making sure he knew what those four letters meant. Then asking her son to take the tube of toothpaste, she told him to trace over the four letters with the paste as he squeezed it from the tube. For a four year old, this was great fun! Upon completion she praised him on his careful toothpaste ... Read the Post