Blog
So many ‘last times,’ with more than a few moments still to savor
“I’ve eaten the last thing my mother will ever bake,” just the first of a long list of “last times” we could write. But “last times” are not unique to Alzheimer’s caregivers.
Shared Story: ‘I wouldn’t change a thing. But this was hard.’
Going through this makes us stronger. We don’t like it, but in retrospect we can say, “OK, God, you’ve humbled me. You’ve made me a better person.”
21 ways a 5-year-old and an Alzheimer’s patient are so much alike
I thought about home the whole time I was away. And it dawned on me that, although my grandson is great in every way, caring for a preschooler has definite similarities to my caregiving duties in Ohio.
Shared story: I’m focusing on enjoying each day with my husband
Though we have hard days and life is like a yo-yo right now, I am thankful for a God who listens and comes to help me through the rough spots.
Even when ‘it’ happens, I’m determined to practice gratitude
I’m learning—and I’m determined to keep learning—that joy follows gratitude, not the other way around.
Shared story: ‘I pray, but I have many questions about prayer’
I have a confession. Even though I’ve been doing ministry for 50 years and have been a believer for 55 years or so, I still have more questions about prayer than I have answers.
It’s getting colder, time for shelter from the winter to come
Protecting from the pain and loss that comes with all of life, preserving beauty for just a little while longer. These are the tasks of every caregiver.
Shared story: I’m determined to find the joy in each new day
In our house, we are determined to take just one day at a time, relying on God, and not to jump into the future and steal the joy God is giving us today.
Happy birthday, Evelyn! Our birthday memories are a gift to me
Memories from birthdays past are a gift to ME as we celebrate again today.
The grief, the challenge, and ultimately the blessing of our journey
Our journey began in 2005, and the years since then have been filled with surprises, challenges, grief—and blessings. Many blessings.
‘Open hands’ . . . a picture of hope, a strategy for life
Holding tight to the past is not a strategy that brings peace. I learned an important lesson from a caregiver friend.
Shared story: 1 Corinthians 13 paraphrased especially for caregivers
No matter how I sacrifice or what I know, love is the key that gives caregiving its power.
Sometimes God answers prayers we haven’t even thought to pray!
Before I could ask her, my friend volunteered to solve the problem I couldn’t figure out how to handle. God answered my prayer when I hadn’t even prayed it!
Shared story: ‘Whatever happens, we will see it through together’
The song doesn’t describe how our life has turned out. But it does describe the commitment I’m holding on to.
Building resilience: a skill it’s never too late for anyone to learn
Maybe you can use the advice from the magazine article I should have read several years ago: “The ultimate guide to building resilience so you can bounce back from tough times.”
Shared story: What I learned about the joy of doing mundane tasks
I really wanted to care for my dad. But I found myself with a bad attitude trying to handle all the new responsibilities. What could I do?
The last time? Deciding when and how to surrender to reality
Our nurturing weekend with friends has become an annual tradition. But when will it be time for us to give it up?
‘It doesn’t matter.’ Three words to bring peace and offer perspective
I’ll count it as a blessing that one gift of caregiving is seeing life with clearer perspective.
Facing myself and our life. Am I in denial about being in denial?
“It’s easy to stay in denial,” I admitted to him with quivering voice when he gave us the test results that day. And it’s still easy. Even easier, I’m deciding, to be in denial about being in denial.
I’m coming to terms with totally new definitions for success
Not only do most Americans worship success, but they are also haunted by failure. What does this mean for the caregiver when his world is reduced to helping someone survive?