Family

Outside Benefits

My mom and I were happy to be able to sit outside and soak up some sunshine for a while again today. The other day when we were out, she remembered when she learned about how good it is for you to be outside. She was in 8th grade. She attended a Catholic school, but […]

Family Reunited

My mom and I were talking about our neighbors’ grandson who was born premature, then got sick, but now is home. My mom talked about the baby that she had born premature. His lungs weren’t fully developed and unfortunately at that time, the medical professionals didn’t have the technology to treat infants born too early. […]

She’s Back

My sister has been away for a few weeks. She was caring for a friend’s house while they were away. Then, when my mom and I got COVID, I told her it would probably be best for her if she stayed away longer. She returned the other day. She has been wearing the N95 masks […]

Lord Bless You

Yesterday a friend sent me a New Year’s prayer: “May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26. It is one of my and mom’s favorite scriptures. […]

Holy Family

Today my mom read in “The Word Among Us” the scripture reading Sirach 3:2-6,12-14 for the Feast of the Holy Family. Then we read the beautiful reflection that really hit home. It said in part: “On this Feast of the Holy Family, let’s consider what it means to take care of our loved ones. Of […]

Backwards Day

In a strange turn of daily events, I heard mom get up this morning, but struggled to get myself out of bed. When I finally made it upstairs, I found her doing her laundry. I just had to help her with the detergent. She did 2 loads of her laundry, took a shower, did the […]

Trying to Recover

This morning I got up disgusted with the pile of sicky sheets and blankets on my bed. After 10 days of illness, I figured that was probably a good sign. I also figured it was probably a blessing that I can’t smell right now. So I stripped the bed and got the sheets in the […]

COVID Christmas

Mom and I were blessed today despite it being a COVID Christmas. We are incredibly grateful that Mom still has pretty mild symptoms. This morning I got out the Christmas tablecloth and put away the Advent wreath to mark the change of atmosphere. We Zoomed with family and opened a couple of presents that made […]

Such Encouragement

My mom woke up early this morning coughing. She had a sore throat and runny nose, but luckily still no fever. The doctor’s office called as we were finishing breakfast to let us know they could do the virtual appointment right away. The PA was a true gift from God as all good gifts are. […]

Didn’t Last

When my mom got up this morning, I saw the way she looked exhausted and heard her raspy voice and tested her for COVID. Sure enough, it was positive. Despite my best efforts,  she caught the virus. That put an abrupt end to caregiving help. I called the doctor right away. She has an appointment […]