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Ten things I've learned on the caregiver journey
TheCypressTimes.com ^ | 06/10/2010 | Candy Arrington

Posted on 06/10/2010 12:51:58 PM PDT by Patriot1259

Caregiving is not a journey most of us choose. Often, we take the initial steps on the caregiving path thinking it's only a walk to the mailbox or a casual stroll around the lake. Soon we've walked mile after mile. Our starting point is so far behind us we can't see it anymore, and our destination is clouded by hills and valleys, bends and turns in the caregiver road. I've learned ten things (at least) on my journey. Perhaps they will benefit you as well.

Nurture yourself.

When serving as a caregiver, your own spiritual and physical health are often neglected. It's easy to justify not having a quiet time or attending worship when so much of your time is occupied with caring for someone else. But we need spiritual refreshment to get through the difficult times. Disconnecting spiritually is like depriving our thirsty souls of a life-giving drink from a crystal spring. Physical health is also often put on the back burner. We delay routine checkups and procedures and drag around exhausted from one duty to the next. Eventually, our bodies show the wear and tear. Remember to make time for you.

Find joy in the journey.

At times, it's hard to imagine any joy at all in the caregiving role, but I've discovered that some element of nature often makes me smile. Birdfeeders near my mother's room host dozens of birds and remind me that if God cares about the birds, he certainly cares about our current circumstances. An early morning time of solitude on our deck gives me the opportunity to watch the leaves rustle in a gentle breeze or the sunrise brighten the eastern sky....

(Excerpt) Read more at thecypresstimes.com ...


TOPICS: Religion; Society
KEYWORDS: agingparents; caregiver; christians

1 posted on 06/10/2010 12:51:58 PM PDT by Patriot1259
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To: green pastures

bflr...


2 posted on 06/10/2010 12:55:06 PM PDT by green pastures (Cynicism-- it's not just for breakfast anymore...)
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To: Patriot1259

Lovely thoughts.

I will pass this on to the dedicated caregivers I know.


3 posted on 06/10/2010 12:56:55 PM PDT by Palladin (Commodore Obama: "Damn the Constitution. Full speed ahead!")
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To: Patriot1259

“Caregiving is not a journey most of us choose.”

It is often in the “fine print” of our choices, the part we don’t pay much attention to because we are focused on the “good stuff”. It’s in marriage vows (”in sickness and in health”) and in the choice to be a parent or to do the act that could make us parents.


4 posted on 06/10/2010 1:41:52 PM PDT by KrisKrinkle (Blessed be those who know the depth and breadth of their ignorance. Cursed be those who don't.)
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