tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post7673404251620807985..comments2024-03-28T06:31:14.583-07:00Comments on Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart: Your Dying Spouse 253 - Work As A Caregiver's VacationAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-14336619326512335082017-01-03T21:09:49.939-08:002017-01-03T21:09:49.939-08:00Jeanne, thank you so much! I really appreciate you...Jeanne, thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words. And especially the prayers!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-11380060112585165552017-01-03T21:07:35.659-08:002017-01-03T21:07:35.659-08:00Joanne, thank you for such grace-filled words! You...Joanne, thank you for such grace-filled words! You've made my heart happy today, and I so appreciate your stopping by to leave them for me.<br /><br />The prayers are so very appreciated by both of us.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-15527950561860158192017-01-03T21:06:24.201-08:002017-01-03T21:06:24.201-08:00Carol, thank you so much for sharing this experien...Carol, thank you so much for sharing this experience. Finding the balance to enable one to do the job to one's best ability and maintain one's sanity...you've pointed out so well how important that is!<br /><br />I'm so glad you're here, and that you added this to the conversation!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-4464698357961216672017-01-03T21:03:33.601-08:002017-01-03T21:03:33.601-08:00Norma, yes! it is first and foremost a mind game. ...Norma, yes! it is first and foremost a mind game. When the mind's disciplined to brightness and compassion, the job's a lot easier.<br /><br />It's like Yogi Berra said about baseball - "The game's 90% mental, and the other half is physical."<br /><br />Thanks so much for being here, my friend!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-48316101246661050022017-01-03T20:59:49.050-08:002017-01-03T20:59:49.050-08:00Barbara, I'm so glad you have that possibility...Barbara, I'm so glad you have that possibility of respite! It's terribly important to be able to maintain perspective and compassion. Burn-out is a real danger for many in this situation.<br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing this - hugs and prayers back from both of us - and a happy start to 2017!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-12652504079782549892017-01-03T20:57:38.664-08:002017-01-03T20:57:38.664-08:00Beth, yes...it is healing to look from the caregiv...Beth, yes...it is healing to look from the caregiver's perspective, because it forces me to push away any tendency toward self-absorption. And it makes me realize that however bad the pain and humiliating the symptoms, life is still to be enjoyed.<br /><br />Thanks so much for being here, and for the lovely, kind words!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-7023584472858867952017-01-03T20:54:51.847-08:002017-01-03T20:54:51.847-08:00Linda, you're absolutely right; how we treat o...Linda, you're absolutely right; how we treat ourselves is very much a reflection of how we treat others.<br /><br />C.S. Lewis observed this in the centurion described by Tacitus, who was "all the more relentless because he had endured it himself."<br /><br />And yes, that was me, back in the day.<br /><br />Thanks so much for being here!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-12912525994763088272017-01-03T20:52:38.559-08:002017-01-03T20:52:38.559-08:00Michele, you're absolutely right - parenting i...Michele, you're absolutely right - parenting is very much a caregiving role! And those years pass all too quickly, don't they?<br /><br />Thanks so much for being here. I appreciate your presence, and your wisdom.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-89478268678798950482017-01-03T18:26:10.664-08:002017-01-03T18:26:10.664-08:00Such a great post, Andrew. Your insights, shared w...Such a great post, Andrew. Your insights, shared with compassion and straightforwardness, are encouraging. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your perspective. I'm continuing to pray for you, friend.Jeanne Takenakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259877343251555463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-19963259340548616272017-01-03T05:28:22.325-08:002017-01-03T05:28:22.325-08:00Andrew, you are so inspiring as you look at caregi...Andrew, you are so inspiring as you look at caregiving from the perspective of the caregiver. That is indeed such a blessing. Your gentleness and consideration must be such a blessing to Barbara. Praying for you both this morning. Joanne Violahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737190992108764966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-80937341105588455272017-01-02T18:06:01.106-08:002017-01-02T18:06:01.106-08:00Spot on, as usual, Andrew. People asked me why I ...Spot on, as usual, Andrew. People asked me why I kept teaching with a catastrophically ill child, but the truth was that those moments in the classroom is the only time my life resumed any sense of normalcy. I taught half-time, so it was perfect. Having said that, it was extremely difficult to balance work and caregiving and to hand over my trust to a hired caregiver. I felt guilt, lots of it, but I'm glad I kept teaching. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06445253220976981136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-47721443756080225512017-01-02T11:10:20.819-08:002017-01-02T11:10:20.819-08:00As I was pushing Mom's wheelchair down the reh...As I was pushing Mom's wheelchair down the rehab hospital's main hallway yesterday, I told the personnel that we were going for an afternoon stroll, and they smiled. As we walked past open doors, some of the patients looked at us or spoke to us. Smiles can affirm worth to others. Mother enjoyed our "stroll" and I enjoyed spreading the love. I'm learning that caregiving is a mind game first, then the caregiving stuff. Thank you for this fine post today, Andrew.Meridian Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13415904614368419453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-7426862634009590062017-01-02T10:59:12.274-08:002017-01-02T10:59:12.274-08:00There have been jobs that I did enjoy going to; an...There have been jobs that I did enjoy going to; and at times the task of "being adult" got the best of me and I was happy to get back to the job! Since I've been retired, and am in the role as caregiver, I don't really have a job to go back to; or to vacation to or whatever! But, luckily I do have a hobby that can "take me away"; like Calgon taking me away from a stressful situation, getting away for a weekend or even a few hours with friends and crafting helps me immensely!<br /><br />It IS good to have that; and my husband does encourage me to do so...at this point, he IS able to get himself places if needed; and he microwaves leftovers and things really well!<br /><br />Thanks again for sharing your wisdom, Andrew! Hugs and prayers and a happy new year to you and Barb.BarbaraLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14800573662220355361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-70963235264191181202017-01-02T08:44:30.151-08:002017-01-02T08:44:30.151-08:00I think that your constant pursuit of seeing thing...I think that your constant pursuit of seeing things through the caregiver's eyes must be so healing to your heart, Andrew. Most people in your shoes might be tempted to give in to feeling sorry for oneself, but you always look to how hard it must be for Barbara. I hope that she realizes that and is moved to love and compassion for you as well because of it. Happy New Year to you and Barbara--not to mention, your sweet pups! I'm so glad that you've made it to the threshold of another year! You inspire us all!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13156048755652103073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-80222313303458678262017-01-02T07:00:54.416-08:002017-01-02T07:00:54.416-08:00Andrew ... I like the idea of being gentle with ou...Andrew ... I like the idea of being gentle with ourselves, to give ourselves grace and kindness. If we can't somehow make that happen, it's going to be hard to authentically drum it up for someone else ...Linda Stollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15568264417855502332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-29072693743864126942017-01-02T04:10:17.176-08:002017-01-02T04:10:17.176-08:00There's a sense in which what you say is true ...There's a sense in which what you say is true of anyone who's in the caregiver role, whether it's illness or tiny people who will some day be taller than the "caregiver" (ahem). It has always been my love for these crazy boys that has sweetened the grittiness of wiping noses and cleaning up messes and perpetually making food. Reading your words shows me that I need to be praying for caregivers I know -- that their love will abound "yet more and more" to help them through the daily grind. Always enlightening to visit here, Andrew!Michele Morinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814119096056835884noreply@blogger.com