Sometimes God uses events to shape and change us. I won't blame God for this, but I am profoundly changed by what occurred this morning. Our next door neighbor's Adult Foster Care Facility was completely devastated by fire this morning. Thank God all 8 people + 2 dogs got out alive. Thank God no one was seriously hurt. A firefighter's shoulder was hurt when a ceiling collapsed on him. The challenged elderly residents had been practicing fire drills recently, and each were brought out safely. Thank God.
I complain about my circumstances, at times, as you all know. But today, I think I will not complain at all. I thank God no one was hurt and lives were spared. I thank God my home and husband and son did not perish. I thank God I did not move my Mom into that situation. I think I'll think about this every time I look out my windows, walk or drive by. And when I want to complain about something, I think I'll just count my blessings, instead. I pray you'll count your blessings, today, as well. And while you're at it, please pray for those in need, including your own, thanking God for all the good he gives you each day.
I don't like some circumstances and some of other people's actions. But I can't control the universe, only me, and that's only sometimes, LOL. It is only by the grace of God that anything goes well in my life. I thank him for his blessings today: sunshine, food, my cups of coffee, my wonderfully supportive husband and helpful son. My parents are still alive, and I get the opportunity to serve them. They can't help themselves too well, and I've been blessed, so far, with perfect health. So I thank God for my home, my friends, and this site, too. I'm sure I can think of more, and will write more later, because I want to look for blessings, rather than dwell on the negative today. I pray that God blesses all of you wonderful caregivers, as well. Though things may not be ideal, please go and have a wonderful day, by God's grace!
First to those who missed me, THANK YOU! It is good to be missed. I am thankful that now with the unfortunate passing of my husband's mother, he may be developing a sense of appreciation. It is long overdue and greatly received although difficult to do.
I am grateful for the time I did have with my MIL. She taught me what being a real mother was all about (compared to my NPD mother). I learn to treasure the little things in life and realize that no matter how small a task I do for someone, it will impact their life some how, some way.
I am learning to appreciate technology all the more except learning at a new level. I am totally consumed, but grateful for the challenge because it will bring me to a higher level. :)
I am grateful for the friends I've never "seen" but I cry with them and laugh all too often. You guys/gals are my inspiration and touch my heart. Thank you for all you do even when it seems impossible.
God bless all of you (whether you believe or not) :)
When sad times come our way, it is difficult to think of the bright side of life. I try to think about the good times that have gone before and know that more are yet to come. We will always miss those who have gone before us, but we must look to the future. My dad died 4 years ago this August, and I miss him more each day. However, I am grateful to see that my daughter is happy and living her life to the fullest. Her father and I are both grateful that we will get to see her this summer as she lives halfway across he country. Hug your children and your loved ones.
To all of you, Happy Mothers' Day
Linda
Thanks for the Mother's Day wish, loving daughter. Mitzi, it is good to hear you thankful for the time you had with MIL. Neon, thanks for the washer reminder. And Naus, you are trying to stay thankful. I know each of you ladies have incredible hurdles to cross, but often encourage others. Jerome, too. How thankful and grateful we can all be for one another to lift each other up when we're down. Thanks for the brave fronts in the face of all you fellow caregivers do.
Austin, Naus, mitzi, Jerome, Anne, lovingdaughter, hot water, my job, my son, my husband, Yes, oh yes the beautiful warm sunshine even tho I seldom see it or play in it. My wonderful veggie garden I tenderly planted and loving watered with the precious rain God sent I have been saving in buckets and barrels and large trash cans because yes this too will cease for a while in the hot months especially where I live, You know the ancients always look towards the sky how often do we do that. I used to when I lived in N.C. the sky there is so awesome. a little lower south there are so many trees, but I find the moon most every night I even saw a rainbow sunday coming home from evening service and it reminded me of the covenant that God made with Noah and for us all and everytime I see one I think that thought. So most importantly I am thankful that God is always here for me if I would just let him and get out of my own way.
Have a great day everyone. much love and affection to you all and If I missed anyone like Jerome and others you are included to because many times even if I haven't posted a response you have touched me and you all make me a better person.
I feel the same way. Thanks God for the sunshine and flowers. I am going to go plant some now!!!!!!!!
have a great day I'm outta here
I thank my Mom and Dad for life, a home, food, clothing, and all the blessings and opportunities they gave throughout my life. I will give to them in return for all they have done. I am thankful to the many family and friends, and even strangers who have touched my life along the way...and helped me learn and grow. I'm hoping they/you will forgive me for all the times I hurt or let them/you down, or was ungrateful. Life is too short not to be thankful. If I could spend my remaining days being thankful, perhaps this small corner would be a brighter place.
Still counting my blessings...my first cup of coffee, this site, my laptop, my parents being well-cared for, my great husband and fabulous eight year old.
I am thankful to Carol for starting this site. My family and I have received so much help from the articles posted, and from those of you who write comments, suggestions, and vent. It has given me inspiration, strength, hope and friendship. Sometimes the words you write clear my clouded thinking, and help me move forward when I just don't know what to do. Your experience has helped me avoid mistakes, and help correct some. Your compassion has helped with the late night struggling emotions, and lightened my load. I am so thankful to all of you wonderful fellow caregivers. You are truly heroes in this world of self-seeking people. You give of your lives and talents to family and strangers alike. I am so very proud of you and thank God for you. Just want you to know you're in my prayers today, and how grateful I am for all of you.
I am thankful for another beautiful day with sunshine and a cool breeze. I am thankful I got some housework done in spite of things my house looks neat which keeps me calm. I cannot stand disorganization, i get more done when everything is organized. I am thankful I have common sense, I took mother to dfcs yesterday and i swanee she is her own worst enemy, but with the help of the social worker and the fact that mother does not hear well she still keeps her benefits. not much but enough to help her out. I can afford to feed her good food but no junk and she loves her junk I am so surprised really with her BP is so high and all the sodium, sugar she eats she is still alive, I guess its the preservation that keeps her among us. I am thankful I have enough money albeit paycheck to paycheck to pay my bills and have a little extra to afford that curtain rod that was bent in my living room the strangest things get broken and messed up in my house almost afraid to come to work. I am thankful my husband is still working although he is not up to full time yet his hours were cut back in november and that hurt real bad. I am thankful I have skinny legs Remember that song, they wrote it for me LOL cuz I'm special LOL I have started wearing skirts one person said my God your legs are skinny, I looked at them than looked at her and said yep been that way all my life, how long you had that big mouth?? But they work and they aren't crippled so going to wear what makes ME happy even my mother said My legs were too skinny, I said yep I got dads legs and they're little but they're pretty! that being said I have Bible class tonight and am really looking forward to that we are doing a two year study of the chronological order of the bible we are on week two lots of reading lots of writing but I'm ready. Bring it on... Well I'm at work Oh had my kittie I found, someone left her loose or she got out but she is black persian and they had her declawed so brought her in she was so knotted up I tried to trim the knots and knicked her just a tad and than thought nope can't do this don't want to hurt her so took her yesterday to be shaved, well she doesn't even look like a cat now she has a black face, black tail and four black booties she is so funny looking but I know she feels better she got in bed with me last night and she petted my arm and purred me to sleep she is so sweet, her way of telling me she loves me and thank you for the makeover LOL. Now if I can train the new dog I just adopted everyone else is in fine shape everyone meaning, my first dog Opie, my other two cats sweet pickles and peppermint pattie, Kittiepuss is all new again now it just leaves Pearl whose name should be digger or let me outta here!! If i can get her to stop jumping the fence and just dig in one place I will be happy if not I have to find her a home out in the country apparently she doesn't like city life if you want to call this little town a city reminds me of Green Acres. LOL
You all have a good day, I pray for you all to we need to send those prayers up and receive all the good blessings God has in store for us today.
And my sister, who always had a sunny disposition, who gave everyone she knew a smile and cards for their birthdays, anniversaries, holidays you name it, she should have been an insurance agent. Everyone who knew her sincerely thought SHE was their best friend, and they were right. We were only 16 months apart. She died a few years ago in a motorcycle accident. Only 52. At least 2,800 people attended her funeral. I miss my family terribly.
I am thankful for my neighbors who are caring people, who rarely reach out to each other in today’s busy world, but have started to share encouragement and ask how they can help, when they find out I haven’t worked in more than 5 years, with no health insurance, taking food stamps, and negotiating away emergency room bills AGAIN.
I am thankful for the psychologist and psychiatrist who were able to help me get unstuck when I decided to get help, and needed help. I am thankful for the Alzheimer’s Family Day Center who look forward to taking care of mom each day, in their loving way, and allow us to be on scholarship (sliding scale).
I am thankful for my health, and the adversity in it is just another way GOD is building my character.
Thank GOD, that I Believe in GOD, and his son Jesus Christ, who have given me the grace, strength, and courage to care for my mom when no one else wanted the job.
Even though I do not pray enough, I thank GOD for this website, that enables those who are desperate, in need of a word of encouragement, or resource, or a belly laugh, a place to get the help they need or at least to get started.
I am thankful for the friends on this website who reach out to each other, and help each other. To all of you who are kind to me,(you know who you are:)Thank you, Jerome.
Jerome, you are the mighty encourager, too. Such a blessing, as always, sir! Wow, is that quite a story. You have a very full plate with your Mom having Alzheimer's. Makes my Dad's seem more real to hear it talked about so eloquently. I find your story not one of complaint, but sadness and sorrow, but that you thank God instead of blaming him is so inspirational. It is easy to see his grace at work in you. You've suffered so many losses, but don't seem to be complaining, like some do. So glad you have help from the Alzheimer's Family Day Center. That's got to be a relief to you. Do they have support meetings as well? What about church family helping? (Just curious.) As for belly laughs, have you seen the Laughter threads? I'm also wondering, how does one negotiate away a hospital bill? Thanks for being such a compassionate Caregiver, and encouraging us the way you do. Somehow that just lightens the load and brightens the day! :) Take care, and thank you, for lifting the name of Jesus to his proper place. Without him, we'd all be toast! Can you imagine how dark and awful the world will be without him? I look forward to seeing those nail scarred hands, and seeing my loved ones again! How bout you? God bless you, Jerome. And God bless all you fellow Caregivers.
When they are running, arguing, fighting, - - they are fighting what they do not understand. They are living as earnestly as they can. When the fight is weak, they still want to live, to communicate with their face, their eyes, to eat, to enjoy, - - isn't that life? AFDC is the example of an organization that lives the walk. What a godsend. They have support group meetings, I just have a hard time remembering and meeting there when I have so much work to do. Some organizations have a hard time with dementia, even when they are supposed to be compassionate. GOD has sent Jehovah's Wittness people to study the bible with me, and it has been an blessing. It is easy to negotiate a bill when you have no income, no assets. LOL. It is harder to do when you have income. Jerome.